Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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558. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons for non-visa required international students having to show €6,665 in financial support to study in Ireland for an eight-month programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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559. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware of the new requirement for non-visa required international students to show €6,665 in financial support to study in Ireland for an eight-month programme; the impact it will have on students accessing education here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35437/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.

Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here to pursue a full-time course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves.

At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), with my Department having responsibility for visa and related residency policies.

There is regular communication and collaboration between both departments, as well as their associated bodies such as Quality and Qualifications Ireland and the Higher Education Authority.

One of the key conditions applicable to a student coming to Ireland is that they must be able to support themselves while in the state. As such, proof of available finances is a requirement for all relevant non-EEA national students, both visa and non-visa required. This is separate to any educational fees and relates only to levels of funds required to live in Ireland. It also considers the welfare of international students to ensure they can meet essential living costs during their studies.

Following a review by my Department in 2022, it was concluded that the level of funds required should be increased to more accurately reflect the average annual living expenses for students in Ireland. Prior to 2022, these finance levels had not been reviewed in more than 10 years. These changes were agreed with DFHERIS, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

It was also agreed that the difference in funds required for students based on visa requirements would be removed over time. To this end, the level of funds required was increased in 2023 and 2024, and the recently announced increase, as stated on my Department’s Immigration Service website, came into effect on 30 June 2025: Information on Student Finances - Immigration Service Delivery

These changes followed consultation with stakeholders, including both representative bodies and individual institutions in the higher education and English language sectors. DFHERIS, as the Department with primary responsibility for international education policy, carried out the bulk of this consultation.

The website notice regarding these changes was placed on 24 March 2025, 14 weeks prior to coming into effect, in order to inform and alert students intending to commence or continue study from September 2025. A reminder was also published last week, on 23 June, regarding these changes. Most students will first register or renew their immigration residence permissions in September 2025.

From 30 June 2025, courses shorter than a year in duration have a new monthly financial requirement for both visa and non-visa required students, which will be €833 per month. This equates to €4,998 for a 6 month stay or €6,665 for an 8 month stay.

DFHERIS notified the representative bodies for Ireland’s higher education institutions and English language schools of this change and asked that they disseminate it to their members. It should be noted that my Department had signalled previously to stakeholders that the different financial requirements for international students from visa required and non-visa required countries was an anomaly, and that it was the intention to align them over time. The latest change on 30 June 2025, is the completion of this process.