I have been clear that I want to see the student's contribution towards tuition fees in higher education reduce in a meaningful way over the course of the annual budget process. In this regard I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support through SUSI from September 2023.
For students whose families have incomes between €62,000 and €100,000, a new grant of €500 towards the undergraduate student contribution for free fees students is now available. I also increased the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant. Information on the new €500 student contribution grant and other student supports are available on SUSI.ie.
In advance of Budget 2024, and as I did last year, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports. I will have regard to these options, including any options in respect of providing additional tuition fee supports; student contribution changes or supports for SUSI eligible students; when making proposals in the context of budget discussions in advance of the annual Budget.
