Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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871. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of abolishing tuition fees for postgraduate and repeat students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35662/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are therefore responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational matters, including the management of academic affairs. Postgraduate tuition fees and fees for repeat periods of study are set by each institution. I understand that these fees can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of course and the institution’s fee structure.

My Department does not collect data on postgraduate or repeat fees charged by institutions for individual courses. Therefore, an estimated cost to the State of fully supporting these fees is not available.

In considering the Deputy’s query, it is important to note that postgraduate students may be eligible for support under the student grant scheme administered by SUSI. Details of these postgraduate grant supports are available at: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/

I will be publishing an options paper ahead of Budget 2026. This paper will identify the costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of tertiary education for students and their families. The paper will inform decision-making in the lead-up to Budget 2026. While I cannot confirm specific measures that will be included in the next Budget, I can assure the Deputy that supporting students and reducing financial barriers will be a key priority for me.