Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
817. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if college students who are returning to full-time education to complete a second level 8 qualification will be able to avail of the €1,000 college fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54784/22]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students, including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes.
Students who already hold a level 8 degree and are studying a second level 8 course are not eligible for the free fees schemes and therefore the once off student contribution support of €1,000 in 22/23 cannot apply to students undertaking a second level 8 course of study.
Students in publicly funded third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. As part of the cost-of-living measures announced in Budget 2023 an additional €8 million has been invested in the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year 2022/23. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. More information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.
Tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students studying a second level 8 course. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
