Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Third Level Fees
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1443. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether students who are liable for full third-level tuition fees are eligible for the reduction in fees for the academic year 2023/2024, as announced by him as part of the cost-of-living measures recently as part of Budget 2024; if not, if he will consider extending the supports to include students, such as repeat students, who are liable for full fees and who are also affected by the cost-of-living increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48763/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for those higher education students who are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
Under the FFI, the State provides funding, exclusive of the student contribution, toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved higher education institution in the State. The student contribution only applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees, it is the students’ contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI.
A key principle of the design of the free fees initiative is to encourage progression, that is, to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. As a result, students are not typically supported for a repeat period of study or for a different course at the same level.
The once off student contribution support of €1,000 therefore does not apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study if that period of study is not eligible for the free fees scheme in this academic year.
Where students are not eligible for free fees then, the student contribution arrangements under the FFI do not apply and students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.
Students who are experiencing financial difficulties may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in the higher education institution attended.
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