Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
220. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which recent budget reforms to student supports, including the SUSI system and cost-of-education measures, reflect his approach to targeted support for learners from all backgrounds. [67827/25]
View answerI have outlined on several occasions that I want to make improvements to student supports that are equitable, funded and fair, and which bring certainty to families.
I was, therefore, delighted in Budget 2026 to be in a position to make real, permanent changes to support students from all backgrounds and to reduce the cost of education.
• I increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates under the Student Grant Scheme, (administered by SUSI) by at least €200 effective from September 2026 with a pro-rata benefit for students this academic year. This benefits PLC/Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution.
• I reduced the Student Contribution Charge for free fees eligible students permanently by €500 supporting around 108,000 undergraduate students.
• I also permanently reduced the contribution fee for 14,000 apprentices in higher education by 17%, recognising their unique role in Ireland’s economic future.
• I permanently increased the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 for eligible students.
• From January 2026, I am increasing FET learner allowances in line with social welfare rates.
In addition, students in the 2026/27 academic year will benefit from the following improvements: -
• The Special Rate of Maintenance Threshold will increase from €27,400 to €28,600 in line with Social Welfare increases supporting students who are from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The income threshold for the €500 student contribution will increase from €115,000 to €120,000 effective from September 2026. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.
I recognise that students also need support beyond financial assistance and importantly I secured in Budget 2026:-
• €1 million for student mental health and healthy campus initiatives - supporting wellbeing across higher education institutions; and
• €3 million in additional funding for students with disabilities supporting over 22,000 further and higher education students and building a more inclusive education system.
I am also very happy to announce that I am increasing the Student Assistance Fund for 2025/26 by over €10.2million, bringing the fund to over €19.3 million for this academic year, which exceeds the amount allocated last year.
I am committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier to education and this increase in funding will benefit the most vulnerable students who may be struggling with the cost of attending Higher Education. I encourage any student experiencing financial hardship to contact their college’s Access Office to learn more about this important support.
