Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
86. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his view on a phased abolition of the student contribution charge, reflected by a total reduction of €1,500 in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40658/23]
View answerI have made it a priority over recent years to address the issue of the student contribution, as part of an overall approach to addressing the cost of education for learners and families.
My Department pays the student contribution, in full or part, on behalf of students who qualify under the student grant scheme. In 2022/23 almost 54,000 students, or approximately 38% of free fees eligible students, had all or part of their student contribution paid on their behalf through student support grants.
As part of Budget 2023, I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support, through SUSI, from September 2023. This new support, worth €500, is now available for students whose families have reckonable earnings between €62,000 and €100,000. This measure was estimated to benefit some 42,000 students. In addition the threshold for the student contribution 50% grant has been increased from €55,240 to €62,000. This measure was estimated to benefit some 8,000 students. As of the 17th September 2023, 10,605 students have been awarded the new €500 grant and 7,256 have been awarded the 50% Student Contribution Grant.
It is really important students and their families know they must apply for these important changes. I would encourage full time undergraduate students to go to susi.ie to apply for these new supports.
In 2022/23, as part of the cost of living measures agreed by Government, a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible students was also universally applied.
As I look to the next Budget, I am conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the continued progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. Last month, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. The various options set out in this paper will inform the deliberations regarding cost of education measures in Budget 2024, including options in respect of the student contribution.
