4067. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to a student (details supplied) to assist them with the ever-increasing costs of attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61459/26]

I am conscious of reducing the cost of education for students and I have consistently outlined my commitment to improving student supports in a way that is equitable, funded, and fair, and provides certainty for families.

Budget 2026 offered me my first opportunity to make real and permanent changes in support of students, which included the first permanent reduction in the Student Contribution fee of €500. It is my intention to continue rolling out equitable, sustainably funded, and fair measures over the term of this Government and my officials have been tasked with examining the feasibility and costs that would be incurred in the implementation of additional and new measures.

Other budget 2026 changes include increases to all SUSI non-adjacent maintenance grant rates; an increase to the postgraduate fee contribution; an increase in the special rate of maintenance grant threshold and increasing the income threshold?for the €500 student contribution grant to €120,000.

The Student Accommodation Strategy, which was launched earlier this year, sets out Ireland’s national policy to support access to appropriate housing for students. Under this Strategy, I am committed to further expanding and enhancing supports that directly address the affordability pressures facing students, especially for those who need it most.

In addition to these measures, I provided €19.3 million for the Student Assistance Fund which is more than a quarter of a million euro up on the previous year. It is available to all students who have an emergency financial need and supports approximately 22,000 students each year.

To inform decision-making head of Budget 2027, I will soon publish an options paper which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education.

While I cannot confirm at this stage in the year the specific items that will be included in the next Budget, options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be key priorities for me as part of Budget negotiations.

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

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), Ireland’s national awarding authority for further and higher education grants, offers funding to eligible students in approved courses at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ireland and in some cases, to students studying in the UK or EU. All types of students, from school leavers to mature students returning to education can apply for funding.

Eligible students must meet all qualifying criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Household reckonable income, calculated for grant purposes, must fall under specific thresholds. Applications are assessed with regard to gross household income from the previous calendar year.

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

In respect of the student referenced by the Deputy I would encourage the applicant to check the eligibility indicator on the SUSI Website at the following link: [SUSI Eligibility Indicator - Get Started] to see if they may be eligible to apply for a student grant. The Eligibility Indicator provides an approximate indication of the possible eligibility for grant funding based on the information that is provided in response to the questions asked.