Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the €1,000 reduction in student contributions announced in the Budget 2025 is not available to students (details supplied) who are completing second degrees in college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42088/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, 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 a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for Free Fees eligible higher education students.

Under the progression criteria of the Free Fees scheme, it is not possible for a students to avail of free fees where they are undertaking a second course of study having previously completed an undergraduate course of study at level 8. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. As the student to which the Deputy refers is not eligible for the Free Fees Initiative, they cannot benefit from the €1,000 reduction.

Students experiencing exceptional financial need may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the Government’s cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Applications for support can be made in confidence to the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. This Fund can be used to meet costs such as childcare, rent, transport costs, books/class materials etc.