Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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613. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the various cost-of-living measures for postgraduate and PhD students and researchers that were announced in Budget 2023 will be provided; if he will provide details of these payments and when they will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51844/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I was happy to be able to announce that as part of the cost of living measures in Budget 2023, postgraduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant will receive a once-off increase of €1,000 in the grant, which is increasing from €3,500 to €4,500 and is due to be paid by the end of 2022. This measure excludes postgraduate students who receive the Special Rate of grant as they have their tuition fee contribution paid up to €6,270. For these postgraduate students, they will receive the once-off extra maintenance payment for all student maintenance grant recipients, also to be paid by the end of 2022.

In addition, I am increasing all maintenance grants effective from January 2023 in order to provide further financial assistance to those students most in need. The special rate and Band 1 rate of maintenance will increase by 14% and all other maintenance grant rates will increase by 10%. Students in the current academic year will see their grant payments increase proportionately once this measure comes into effect from January 2023.

Full time PhD students funded through an award by IRC or SFI will receive a once off increase in their stipend of €500 in 2022 and an increase to the baseline stipend of €500 for 2023. This will be paid through the Higher Education Institutions.

In addition, I have secured a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. It is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to other support measures.

Applications can be made under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) through the Access Office in the third level institution the student is attending. More information on this fund and other supports are also available at www.studentfinance.ie