Written answers
Thursday, 28 September 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Third Level Costs
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the concessions made on the student registration fee and the bonus payment on maintenance have been continued into the new academic year; if so, if he will indicate on what terms the concessions are available in the academic year 2023/2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41974/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government and my Department is committed to reducing the cost of college for students and their families and a number of measures were introduced in Budget 2023 benefiting thousands of students.
In advance of Budget 2024 this autumn, and as I did last year, I published an options paper on 21st August 2023 which sets out for the Government's consideration, various options to the cost of education for families and students. This paper identifies costs and potential impacts of options and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
This options paper has been expanded this year to include options on cost reduction across Further & Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships. Costings outlined in the paper include:- improvements to supports under the Student Grant Scheme; student contribution reduction methods; additional supports for students attending Further Education, measures to reduce apprenticeship fees and increases to stipends/scholarships for PHD students.
As the Deputy will appreciate the estimates process is ongoing and while I cannot at this point pre-empt the budgetary process I can confirm I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society.
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