Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022
263. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that are repeating a year and are therefore not covered by the free fees' initiative are eligible for the €1,000 fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54066/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, the Government has approved a once off State support of €1,000 towards the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department’s Free Fees schemes in academic year 22/23.
Where students do not qualify for Free Fees funding they pay the appropriate fee as determined by each higher education institution. In this regard the once off student contribution support of €1,000 cannot apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study that were not deemed eligible for the Free Fees schemes in 2022/23 by the institution attended.
In considering the above position it is important to highlight that, while students are not typically supported for a repeat period of study under the Free Fees schemes, an exception may be allowed where a student provides evidence of exceptional circumstances and the institution determines that a waiver is appropriate.
This would generally apply where a student could not complete the period concerned or complete the previous course due to exceptional circumstances such as cases of certified serious illness or injury. The assessment of a student’s eligibility to access free fee supports takes place within the institution attending and it is a matter for the institutions to establish the appropriate processes to decide upon the suitability of applying an exceptional circumstances waiver.
It is necessary for a student to engage with their institution at an early point in time and make an application for the exceptional circumstances waiver.
Additionally, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
