Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
123. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the number of students in receipt of various levels of SUSI grant; his plans to improve access to higher education by expanding the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37373/25]
View answerIn 2024/2025 academic year, SUSI processed over 101,600 applications of which 81,697 were awarded and to date 76,751 have been paid.
I will provide the Deputy with a full chart showing the number of students paid a grant by rate for the 2024/2025 academic year as at the 04.07.2025.
I can, however, confirm now that
• 48,643 students were paid a maintenance grant. Where a student is eligible for a full maintenance grant they are also entitled to a full student contribution grant.
• 6,415 students received a 100% Student Contribution Grant.
• 3,875 students received a 50% Student Contribution Grant.
• 17,268 students received a €500 grant towards their Student Contribution Grant.
• 2,984 students received a Postgraduate Fee Contribution.
• 110 students received a part-time fee grant.
I am very much aware that the rising cost of living continues to impact students and their families.
From September 2025, all income thresholds under the Student Grant Scheme will increase. The income threshold for the special rate of maintenance is increasing in line with Social Welfare increases and all other income thresholds are increasing by at least 15%.
Following these recent revisions, the income threshold to receive a Student Contribution grant now stands at €115,000 which is the highest it has ever been. This means that undergraduate students who were not eligible previously may now qualify for a Student Contribution Grant.
SUSI is now open for applications, and I would encourage students to check out www.susi.ie to see if they are eligible for support.
Number of students paid a SUSI grant for the 2024/2025 academic year
|
Grant Rate |
2024/25 |
|
Special Rate - Non-Adjacent* |
9,010 |
|
Special Rate – Adjacent* |
7,314 |
|
Band 1 - Non-Adjacent* |
12,675 |
|
Band 1 – Adjacent* |
8,763 |
|
Band 2 - Non-Adjacent* |
823 |
|
Band 2 – Adjacent* |
507 |
|
Band 3 - Non-Adjacent* |
1,662 |
|
Band 3 – Adjacent* |
1,129 |
|
Band 4 - Non-Adjacent* |
4,048 |
|
Band 4 – Adjacent* |
2,712 |
|
Student Contribution 100% |
6,415 |
|
Student Contribution 50% |
3,875 |
|
Postgraduate Fee Contribution (only) |
405 |
|
Postgraduate Tuition Fees |
35 |
|
€500 Student Contribution Grant |
17,268 |
|
Part Time Undergraduate Fee Contribution |
110 |
|
Total |
76,751** |
*The non-adjacent rate is awarded when a student’s college is 30km or more from their normal residence. The adjacent rate is awarded when a student’s college is less than 30km from their normal residence.
**Please note that these figures will change as processing continues for the academic year 2024/25.
Undergraduate Students eligible for maintenance may also be entitled to a grant towards their student contribution. Postgraduate students eligible for maintenance may also be entitled to a postgraduate fee contribution.
These figures are correct as of 4 July 2025.
