Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the 2024 Budget sees an investment of an additional €239 million for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science. This brings my Department’s allocation to over €4 billion in 2024. With this significant new investment, I will be able to fund a number of major priorities for this Government.

A Cost of Living Package of €115 million was also announced as part of Budget 2024 for my Department. This package included;

• Once off €1,000 reduction to the student contribution fee for circa 94,000 undergraduates eligible for free fees.
• Once off €1,000 increase to post graduates tuition fee contribution benefitting circa 1,790 postgrads eligible for SUSI;
• Once-off reduction of 33% in the contribution fee for circa 11k apprentices in higher education.
• Additional funding to support students at a time of increased strain from cost of living, through the Student Assistance Fund.

For the first time ever, fees for undergraduate part time studies will now be fully funded benefitting eligible one parent families, students with disabilities and carers on low incomes as part of a brand-new pilot programme.

I believe that the additional investment provided for in Budget 2024 will have a real and positive impact on higher and further education learners not only in Clare but also across the country.