Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

836. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the need to create a student finance model that would provide interest free loans to students that do not qualify for SUSI grants, to support the associated costs of attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15182/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government agreed a sustainable funding model for higher education in May 2022 following an extensive economic assessment undertaken through the European Commission's DG Reform programme. Funding the Future, the Government's policy response, settled the question on funding Higher Education.

As part of this, a decision was made that student loans would not form part of the future funding model. Instead, the Government committed to a multi-funded model of additional Exchequer investment and employer contributions through the National Training Fund and student contribution.

The Student Grant is the main form of financial support available to students to assist with the cost of their studies and over the last number of years there have been increases both in the value of maintenance grants, and the income thresholds to qualify for a grant.

Student who are not eligible for a maintenance grant may still be eligible to have some or all of their student contribution charge covered by the State. In the last academic year 66,600 students in total had their student contributions paid in full or in part by the State.

Budget 2025 contained a package of measures to support households with the cost of living, including a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students who are eligible for Free Fees.

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.

Other financial supports or Bursaries and Scholarships may be available for students attending Higher Education. I would encourage students who may be concerned about financial supports to contact the Access Office of the institution they wish to attend as they may be in a position to advise them of further support available within the institution.

This week I am holding a cost of education event where I will hear from stakeholders from across the third level education system, with the aim of providing an opportunity for all to have their say on the key cost of education issues.

After the event, I intend to publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This will inform decisions ahead of Budget 2026.