Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
207. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to update the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34829/26]
View answerI am conscious of reducing the cost of education for students and have consistently outlined my commitment to improving student supports in a way that is equitable, funded and fair, and providing certainty for families.
That is why I prioritised funding for students in Budget 2026 and introduced real and permanent changes that support students from all backgrounds and help 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 measure will ease the financial burden on students and will benefit approximately 30,000 PLC, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students whose normal residence is 30 kilometres or more from their institution who may have to pay rent or higher transport costs.
In addition, I reduced the Student Contribution Charge for free fees eligible students permanently by €500, supporting around 108,000 undergraduate students. I have also increased the Postgraduate Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 for eligible students.
I have also increased the income threshold for the €500 student contribution 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 2026/27 academic year.
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.
I am committed to further expanding and enhancing supports that directly address the affordability pressures facing students, especially for those who need it most.
I wish publish, in the autumn, this year's Annual Options Paper, which will help inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2027, and will consider a range of options to enhance student supports, including potential changes to maintenance grant rates.
My Department is committed to reviewing the Student Grant Scheme and the delivery of student supports throughout this year, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government 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 consider how the delivery of student supports could be improved into the future.
