Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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2503. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his proposals regarding implementing a reduction in the student contribution fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18956/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2534. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify recent reports that there will be no further reductions to student fees; if this represents a departure from the commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government; the rationale for this shift; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19681/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2503 and 2534 together.

Students eligible for the Free Fees Initiative have their tuition fees paid by the State, exclusive of the student contribution. Over 143,000 undergraduate students benefit from the scheme each year, at a cost of over €368 million. This universal scheme is paid as a grant on behalf of students without any means testing. Students pay a student contribution of €3,000 per academic year. However, the State pays this contribution, fully or partially, for a significant number of students who qualify for SUSI grant support.

The Programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner, over the lifetime of this Government. As part of the cost-of-living packages in the last three budgets, the student contribution was reduced by €1,000, at a net cost of circa €99 million per annum.

It is important to note that these represented once off temporary interventions which were subject to supplementary funding each budget in the form of a cost of living package.

No decisions have been made regarding policy choices and I remain open to hearing the views of stakeholders. In this regard, I invited interested parties to attend a cost of education event earlier this month. The event provided an opportunity for students, representatives of the student population, access officers, student services employees, people who work with students on a day-to-day basis, and organisations who advocate for underrepresented students in education, to have their say on the key cost of education issues.

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

I remain committed to easing the financial burden on students and their families in a financially sustainable way.