Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that part-time students are excluded from the reduction in student fees outlined in Budget 2023; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many students are trying to progress their careers in difficult circumstances by pursuing part-time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60121/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2023, I 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.

Students attending part time courses are not eligible for the free fees schemes and therefore the once-off student contribution support of €1,000 in 22/23 cannot apply to students undertaking part time study.

While this is the current position, one of the Funding the Future working groups is examining issues relating to part-time study and will make recommendations to me in 2023.

Students in publicly funded third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. As part of the cost-of-living measures announced in Budget 2023 an additional €8 million has been invested in the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year 2022/23. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. More information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.

Tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending part-time courses. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.