4181. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for maintaining a reckonable income threshold of €64,000 for eligibility under the student grant scheme for postgraduate (master's) students, while significantly higher income thresholds apply to undergraduate students; whether he has examined the financial impact on families supporting more than one student in higher education; whether a review of the postgraduate income threshold is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55426/26]

It is a Programme for Government commitment to increase financial support to postgraduate students, particularly in areas of critical skills shortages. Budget 2026 saw the first permanent increase in the postgraduate fee contribution grant, rising from €4,000 to €4,500 taking effect immediately. The package of measures announced in Budget 2026 are delivering real, lasting change, and I fully intend on continuing to support students further in the future in a way that is funded, fair and equitable.

It is important to say that the purpose of the Student Grant Scheme is to provide additional financial assistance to students who are, for the first time, entering third level education. To be eligible for a grant, household reckonable income must fall below specific income thresholds as defined in the Student Grant Scheme 2026.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.

Postgraduate students who meet all the conditions of the Student Grant Scheme may become eligible for the following supports:

• A student maintenance grant.

• A postgraduate fee contribution of €4,500 (increased in Budget 2026 from €4,000) or a postgraduate fee grant, up to a maximum of €6,270 towards the cost of fees is available. This is dependent on the level of a student's reckonable income and meeting all other eligibility criteria. To be eligible for the fee contribution grant of up to €4,500 plus a maintenance grant, the total household income must be within the www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/#d.en.14684

The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual Budget.

It is important to note however that any amendments or extension to the student grant scheme, including modification of threshold levels, has significant financial implications and are considered in the context of overall budgetary constraints and the substantial number of competing demands on available funding.

Ahead of Budget 2027, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will be published early Autumn and will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2027.

My Department is planning on conducting a review of the Student Grant Scheme and the delivery of Student Supports as part of the commitment under the Programme for Government (PfG) to reform SUSI to better meet the needs of students. The focus of the Review is to examine any issues that relate to the operation of the scheme and how the delivery of student supports could be improved into the future. It is intended the review will examine potential revisions to the Student Support Act and the associated secondary legislation. The review supports the goal of an "inclusive learning and innovation society" by ensuring legislation reflects evolving student needs.