Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1700. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €1,000 reimbursement for third level students applies to those doing their master's degree; and, if not, whether there are additional grants available to this cohort of students. [46405/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Budget 2025 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost-of-living. These cost-of-living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee payable by higher education undergraduate students that are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
Postgraduate courses are not approved courses under the Free Fees Initiative. Therefore, the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee is not available to students undertaking postgraduate studies.
Postgraduate students may however be eligible for supports under the student grant scheme administered by SUSI. Details of these postgraduate grant supports are available at: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/
Postgraduate students experiencing exceptional financial need, may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the Government’s cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Applications for support can be made in confidence to the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. This Fund can be used to meet costs such as childcare, rent, transport costs, books/class materials, etc.
