Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include the provision of one off funding to reduce the student contribution fee payable by higher education students that are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI), in academic year 2023/24, by €1,000.The reduction will apply to full time undergraduate students who are eligible for the FFI in 2023/24. Where students are not eligible for free fees the student contribution arrangements under the FFI do not apply and students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.A key principle of the design of the FFI is to encourage progression of first time higher education students, 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. This means that the once off student contribution support of €1,000 does not apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study if that period of study is not eligible for the FFI, as determined by the institution attended. The assessment of eligibility under the FFI in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme. In this regard it is not possible for my Department to offer guidance on the free fees eligibility of individual students, such as the case raised by the Deputy. Students should contact the institution attended for guidance appropriate to their individual circumstances. The Deputy may also wish to note that I have recently announced details of an additional €1.476m for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), bringing the total amount available for the 2023/24 up to €19m. This Fund assists both full-time and part-time students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the institution attended.