Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
142. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has undertaken any study to determine the impact on college uptake levels of the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee. [37582/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware almost all full-time undergraduate students have their tuition fees paid in full by the State through the Free Fees Initiative; and almost half of all students have their Student Contribution Fee paid in full or in part by the State. In addition, a variety of supports are available through SUSI.
A once-off €1,000 reduction to this contribution has been provided for as part of cost-of-living packages for students over the last three budgets. These reductions were implemented after the beginning of the relevant academic years. As such the supports were in place after the CAO offer process and after students had accepted, or not accepted, places offered. These cost-of-living measures intended to support existing students in the relevant academic years and were not intended to impact on levels of demand in future academic years. In this regard it is not feasible to attribute cost-of-living measures, that were implemented on a temporary basis and after students had accepted places, as impacting on course acceptance levels.
Looking ahead to the next academic year I am keen to continue supporting measures however it has been confirmed in recent weeks that no “cost of living” ancillary package will be provided from central government in the current year. On that basis, I need to look at various policy options available to me ahead of Budget 2026.
I hosted a cost of education event in early April to better inform the decisions on this issue and to meet with representative groups. This event was attended by key stakeholders from the tertiary education sector and served as an opportunity for all to have their say on the key cost of education issues.
The Programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of this Government. I fully intend to progress this, starting from the base figure of €3,000 and advancing measures to reduce that over time in a way that is equitable, funded, and fair, and less reliant on temporary subventions which, whilst providing welcome relief, remain uncertain from year to year.
Ahead of Budget 2026, 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 inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, I can assure the Deputy that options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be a key consideration for me as part of Budget negotiations.
