Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2023
151. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budgeted cost of the €500 reduction in the student contribution charge for families earning between €62,000 and €100,000 per annum, and the estimated annual cost of doubling this reduction to €1,000. [15518/23]
View answerI recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students.
In addition to once-off cost of living measures, over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families. As part of Budget 2023, I created a new income threshold for student contribution grant support for families on qualifying incomes earning between €62,000 and €100,000. This will mean the student contribution fee will be reduced to €2,500 for this cohort.
The budgeted cost for this measure is expected to be in the region of €21 million. This cost will depend on how many people apply for the reduction. The estimated annual cost of doubling this reduction to €1,000 based on the current estimated cost would be an additional €21 million.
As I did for the first time last year, it is my intention to publish a cost of education options paper which will set out options for further enhancement of student supports for consideration as part of the Budgetary process in the Autumn.
