Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1374. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the students included in the €1,000 one-off reduction for the student contribution fee will also include those students that complete online study on a full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2025 included a package of measures to support households with the cost of higher education. These measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students that are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).

As the Deputy will be aware, the student contribution only applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees; it is the student’s contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI. Where a course is not part of the FFI, including any flexible, part-time or online courses offered outside the scheme, the student contribution towards free fees does not apply and instead students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.

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 cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Students in need of support, can apply to the Access Office in their higher education institution. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.