Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
200. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify if reductions made in student fees in previous budgets will remain in place for the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34729/26]
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 explicitly states that this must be done in a financially sustainable manner.
In Budget 2026, I was pleased to introduce a permanent reduction of €500 in the Student Contribution charge. This flat rate reduction has reduced the rate from €3,000 to €2,500 with effect from the current academic year. This is the first permanent cut since free fees were introduced in 1995, and it has been fully implemented.
It has benefited around circa 108,000 undergraduate students and around 14,000 apprentices who have seen up to a 17% pro-rata reduction.
It is also important to say, because this is frequently forgotten in public discourse, that the State provides grants that covers all or part of the student contribution for eligible learners through SUSI. Last year over 44,000 students paid no student contribution whatsoever and over 21,000 received a partial grant.
As part of the Budget 2026 measures, I am also raising the SUSI income threshold to avail of a €500 grant from €115,000 to €120,000 for the next academic year. This will bring even more families into eligibility for this fee grant support. I have also increased the grant rates for those who have to travel further to college, which took effect in January, put additional funding into the Fund for Students with Disabilities, and increased student mental health funding.
The recent Government decision to levy Departments to cover expenditure pressures in the Department of Education and Youth may limit the options available for new measures in Budget 2027. Notwithstanding this, I will again pursue options that are equitable, funded, fair, and that build upon the permanent improvements that were made for the 2025/26 academic year. I will engage with students and stakeholders to identify what are the key measures that can be implemented to reduce the cost of education, including at the annual cost of education event which took place recently.
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.
