Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. One of the few jurisdictions that has higher fees is Northern Ireland. I presume the same logic would apply in terms of the Deputy wanting to see a reduction in fees in Northern Ireland where Sinn Féin is in government and where the fees are £4,395 sterling per annum and students, therefore, are leaving colleges in Northern Ireland heavily indebted through a student loan system that I view as wholly unfair.

Under the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students at an average annual cost of €6,500 per student. Students pay a student contribution of €3,000 per annum, which can be paid in instalments, but importantly and rarely commented on, the State pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44% of all students eligible for free fees funding through SUSI. This means that 44% of our students are either having their contribution fee fully or partially paid by the State at an estimated cost of €180 million for 2019-20. In addition to the student contribution funded by the State, we are also providing €340 million through the SUSI grants in 2019 and 2020.

The programme for Government commits to develop a long-term sustainable funding model for higher level education.  In addition, I intend to specifically examine student supports to ensure all students have access to educational opportunities and supports that will help them to fulfil their potential. While the balance of costs and benefits of higher education will be considered as part of the reform of higher education funding, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, in fairness, the Deputy is correct to raise, has an immediate burden on students. For this reason, in July, I announced €168 million in funding to support the sector and students, including a doubling of the student assistant fund from €8 million to €16 million, a €5 million fund for mental health supports and a €15 million fund for technology supports to purchase laptops for students. I accept we have a lot more to do in removing cost as a barrier on this island and I intend to take a number of steps to try to help remove those barriers.

See this speech in context