Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2588.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33152/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government approved reductions of up to €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible undergraduate students for academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24. These once-off measures formed part of a wider cost of living support programme in Budgets 2023 and 2024.

Concomitantly with the student contribution reductions applied under Budget 2024, a new permanent student contribution grant of €500 was introduced. This new student contribution grant is available for eligible students whose families have incomes between €62,000 and €100,000. Higher SUSI supports are available for students whose family income is below €62,000.

In advance of Budget 2025, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to reduce the cost of attending higher education. I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to improve student supports. I will have regard to these options when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.