Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2023
150. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budgeted cost of the increase in the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant from €55,240 to €62,000 per year, which is scheduled to come into effect this autumn. [15517/23]
View answerI recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students.
In addition to once-off cost of living measures, over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families.
One of these measures was to increase the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant from €55,240 to €62,000 per year which is scheduled to come into effect this autumn. This will mean the student contribution fee will be €1,500 for such students. The budgeted cost of this increase is estimated to be in the region of €12 million. This cost will be driven by how many people apply for the reduction.
As I did for the first time last year, it is my intention to publish a cost of education options paper which will set out options for further enhancement of student supports for consideration as part of the Budgetary process in the Autumn.
