Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for raising matters on the cost of supporting students and higher education tuition fees.

As the Deputy will be aware and will appreciate, at this time it is not possible to provide an indication of the measures that may be introduced in budget 2025. However, in advance of budget 2025, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out the various possible measures to reduce the cost of attending further and higher education for families and students. I will have regard to these options, including any options in respect of providing additional higher education tuition fee supports, when making proposals in the context of the budget.

The progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education is an important priority for this Government. We have committed significant additional resources towards supporting students in recent years. As part of the cost-of-living measures introduced in budgets 2023 and 2024, the student contribution payable by students eligible for the free fees initiative were cut by €1,000 in the last two academic years.

A number of other measures aimed at addressing the cost of education have been introduced to support students and their families. These include increases to the SUSI maintenance grants, a new student contribution grant of €500, increased stipend payments and additional funding for the student assistance fund.

I can assure Deputy Boyd Barrett that providing accessible, affordable high-quality tertiary education to all learners, regardless of their background, will continue to be a core priority for me and for the Government.

See this speech in context