Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
177. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proposed €500 cut to student fees will take place in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34606/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government (PfG) addresses the cost of college in a balanced way by combining both universal and targeted measures. The PfG commits to incrementally reducing student contribution fees as well as increasing SUSI grants, providing additional supports for specific cohorts, as well as providing more pathways into and through higher education. The PfG states that this must be done in a financially sustainable manner.
On the student contribution fee, the PfG commits to: “Continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families at the start of each academic year, in a financially sustainable manner.”
I have commenced the process of delivering on this commitment in Budget 2026 by announcing a permanent reduction in the student contribution fee of €500. This measure has reduced the student contribution rate from €3,000 to €2,500 in the current academic year. Students attending higher education this September will continue to benefit from this permanent reduction.
Separately, I am raising the income threshold to avail of a €500 student contribution grant from €115,000 to €120,000 for the next academic year so that more families can avail of supports towards meeting what is already a reduced student contribution charge.
As the Deputy will be aware, the student contribution sits within the wider student support framework. As I look towards Budget 2027, it is my intention to examine new measures that will build upon the permanent improvements to the student support framework that were made for the 2025/26 academic year.
The recent Government Decision to levy departments to cover expenditure pressures in other departments may necessitate limitations on new measures that can be brought forward in Budget 2027. Therefore, it will be important to develop evidence-based policy options to inform decision making.
To support this process, I will publish an options paper on the cost of education prior to the budget. This will identify costs and the potential impacts of measures that could be taken. The paper will be published without prejudice to Government decisions that will be taken in Budget 2027.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in Budget 2027, I can assure the Deputy that I will consider all options available to me to improve the overall student support framework.
