Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will carry out a full review of affordability of third level fees for students who come from median household income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55761/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am conscious of financial challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education. It is a priority for me to explore the most effective ways to support students in managing the cost of education, with a view to enhancing our student support framework in a sustainable way that benefits students across the tertiary education system.

I also recognise that costs are not limited to the student contribution or other tuition fees. Students encounter additional expenses such as fuel, food, and accommodation, as well as specific course-related costs like books and materials.

As part of Budget 2026, I am implementing a permanent €500 reduction to the Student Contribution for students eligible under the Free Fees Initiative — lowering it from €3,000 to €2,500. This is the first such reduction since the scheme's introduction in 1995. It will benefit around 108,000 undergraduate students and 14,000 apprentices, who will see up to a 17% pro-rata reduction.

Additionally, the income threshold for the €500 student fee grant will increase to €120,000 from next year. These changes will deliver a €1,000 reduction in student costs for qualifying families from next year. SUSI maintenance grants will also increase by €200–€430, with a €500 rise in the postgraduate fee grant.

These changes are meaningful steps toward a fairer, more affordable system and were cognisant of the need to support middle income families.

It’s really important that we make the right interventions in the area of access, which are actually informed by evidence. For example, work produced by the Geary Institute in 2010 suggested that the abolition of student fees in the 1990s did not meet the policy’s objective of promoting educational equality.

That’s why I have asked my Department to undertake and commission new research to better understand and forecast the impacts of different student finance and student support policy measures. My intention is that this will inform future budgetary measures, and will complement the stakeholder engagement and cost of education publications which are produced annually.