Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
1042. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full cost of extending SUSI to postgraduate fees for qualifying students over two years, by year, in tabular form. [45299/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
Postgraduate students who meet all the conditions of the Student Grant Scheme may become eligible for the following supports:
• A student Maintenance grant which was restored in September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash with a pro-rata effect from January 2024. The annual rates and the income thresholds for maintenance grants are the same for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• A postgraduate fee contribution of €4,500 (increased in Budget 2026 from €4,000) or a postgraduate fee grant, up to a maximum of €6,270 towards the cost of fees is available. This is dependent on the level of a student's reckonable income and meeting all other eligibility criteria. To be eligible for the fee contribution grant of up to €4,500 plus a maintenance grant, the total household income must be within the levels here www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/#d.en.14684
The maximum period of grant funding available at post graduate level is 4 years in total. All previous attendance and attainment at post graduate level are considered regardless of whether a grant was received previously or not.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual budget.
Over the past 4 years, I have published an options paper which identifies costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. Last year's paper can be found at this link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/publications/funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education-2025/
I will publish this year's paper in the autumn which will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2027.
