Written answer
Third Level Fees
The Minister reduced the student contribution fee from €3,000 to €2,500, increased SUSI eligibility, and pledged to consider further supports.
4177. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the programme for Government commitments within his remit relating to third level fees since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55355/26]
Comment on this
The Programme for Government contains several commitments which are intended to reduce the financial burden on students and families. One of these commitments is to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government in a financially sustainable manner.
In my first budget as Minister for Higher Education, I have delivered on this commitment. I have reduced the student contribution by €500, and I have done so in a manner that is financially sustainable. This flat rate reduction has reduced the student contribution fee from €3,000 to €2,500; the first permanent reduction since the Free Fees Initiative was introduced in 1995.
The State already pays the full student contribution or part of it, for tens of thousands of learners who qualify for SUSI supports every year. Over 65,000 students in the 24/25 college year received this support of which over 44,000 received a 100% Student contribution grant and paid no fees. In Budget 2026, I have also increased the income threshold for the €500 student fee grant to €120,000; so that even more students and families can qualify for additional SUSI grant supports.
As part of Budget 2027 I will consider options to make further improvements to student supports, such as the student contribution, SUSI grants, student assistance fund, mental health and disability supports, apprenticeship funding and many other areas.
In looking at future options to improve the student support framework, I must have regard to the Government’s overall expenditure management and budgetary policy. Whilst the recent Government decision to levy Departments to cover expenditure pressures in the Department of Education may limit the options available to me in this year’s budget, it won't diminish my resolve to deliver for students and their families.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in Budget 2027 or subsequent budgets, I can assure the Deputy that options to reduce the cost of education for students and their families, will remain a primary objective for me.