Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on behalf of her constituent. As she is aware, as part of the budget 2023 we have secured a significant cost-of-living package for third level students, including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees scheme. This measure will reduce the student contribution payable by students from €3,000 to €2,000 in the current academic year. The measure applies to all students eligible for free fees, including mature students. This additional level of support towards the student contribution will benefit approximately 94,000 or 95,000 additional students.

The student contribution is paid in respect of programmes covered by my Department’s free fees scheme. At present, part-time or blended courses are not eligible for inclusion in this scheme and students attending such courses pay a tuition fee. In short, this is not an issue relating to mature students as compared with non-mature students, if that is the right phrase. The issue here is the linkage with the €3,000 fee. The decision we took in the budget was to reduce the €3,000 fee on a once-off basis by €1,000, to €2,000. Regardless of whether one is a mature student, if one is paying or required to pay the €3,000 fee, that is reduced to €2,000.

I concede the point that there are a number of other students who pay different fees or are involved in different ways of doing college, including part-time learning, blended learning and the likes, in respect of which they are not eligible for the €3,000 fee and, therefore, do not benefit from the €1,000 reduction. However, in an effort to be helpful to the Deputy's constituent, I point out that we have increased the allocation in the student assistance fund for the current academic year. The fund provides financial support to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books and class materials. The fund is open to full- or part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Application to the fund can be made through the access office in a student’s third level institution. I know it is not the ideal answer the Deputy would like, but I hope the information I have provided is helpful.

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