Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2023, in recognition of the cost of living financial challenges facing full time third level students funded through my Department, I 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 my Department’s free fees schemes.

Under my Department’s Free Fees schemes the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students with students paying the student contribution. Undergraduate students eligible for SUSI supports have this contribution paid, in part or in full, on their behalf under my Departments Student Grant Scheme.

The once off reduction of €1,000 relates specifically to the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department's free fees schemes in academic year 22/23 and will reduce the student contribution payable from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23. In this regard all full time undergraduate students eligible for free fees and paying the student contribution will benefit from this measure.

As the 2022/23 academic year is only now getting underway, we do not have enrolment figures yet; however, I can advise the Deputy that in 22/23 it is estimated that over 149,000 Irish and EU full time undergraduate students will be eligible for free fees. This means that, in addition to the SUSI eligible students receiving a student contribution support, an estimated 94,000 free fees eligible students will benefit from this measure alone at a cost of c.€95.6million.

As part of the cost of living measures I secured additional supports for students including:

- A once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices;

- A once-off extra payment for all student maintenance grant recipients;

- A once-off increase of €1,000 in the support to SUSI qualified Post Graduate students, increasing from €3,500 to €4,500;

- A further €8 million investment in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2022/23 academic year.

For any student experiencing difficulties currently, there is a significant allocation to the aforementioned Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and I would encourage students to contact their access office to avail of these funds.