Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the student contribution charge by amounts (details supplied). [27520/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Based on the number of students that qualified for free fees funding in the academic year 2016/17, and taking into account overall expected increases in student numbers, it is estimated that the net cost to my Department of reducing the Student Contribution is as follows:

It should be noted that the figures presented incorporate the resulting reduction to my Department's Student Grant Scheme budget.

While the student contribution now stands at €3,000, it is important to recognise that there has been no increase in the student contribution charge since 2014/15. The exchequer pays this contribution (or part of it) on behalf of almost 50% of undergraduate students who are in receipt of student grant assistance.

Tax relief provisions are also available so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost. In addition, higher education institutions have provisions in place to allow students to pay the contribution in two moieties.