Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
553. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students from the North will be eligible for the €1,000 fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Free Fees schemes the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible Irish/EU/EEA/Swiss and UK undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing an approved course of study at an approved higher education institution. All students eligible for the free fees schemes receive state support whereby the State pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution (currently €3,000 per annum).
As 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. The reduction will only apply where students are attending approved undergraduate free fees courses and where the student is eligible for free fees.
In terms of students attending courses in Northern Ireland, courses provided in Northern Ireland are not approved courses under the Free Fees schemes and therefore the once off student contribution support of €1,000 in 22/23 cannot apply to students undertaking study in Northern Ireland.
The main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI, provides grant assistance to students pursuing an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. Students attending courses in Northern Ireland can determine their eligibility for available supports at susi.ie/eligibility/income/.
