Third-level students to get an extra €19m in funding, Harris says

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris: 'We know there is much more to do but I really do believe our record shows we are standing up for families and making sure that cost is not a barrier to accessing education.' Picture: Domnick Walsh

Third-level students are to benefit from €19m in extra funding, according Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.

Regular PhD stipends for Department of Further and Higher Education- funded researchers are to increase by €3,000

In addition, there is to be a one-off increase to the Student Assistance fund of over €1.4m.

Mr Harris said the total package would allow for increases of up to €342 in maintenance grants from next week, as well as the re-introduction of maintenance grants worth up to €2,384 to eligible post-graduate students.

The increased PhD stipends will be funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland.

Most of these increases will take effect this week and will see money back in people’s pockets as students and their families prepare for the return to college.

Mr Harris said: “This is a really important increase at a difficult time for families across the country.

“The cost of living has had a real impact on families.

“This investment, made as part of a wider package of supports in Budget 2024, will see eligible students receive an increased student maintenance grant.

“For some, that can mean a total of €342 between now and May and a total increase of €615 in their grant rate for the year.

“For others, it will see the return of post-graduate maintenance grants at all levels for the first time since the economic crash.

This will put €2,384 into the pocket of those postgrads who will become eligible for the highest rate of increase between now and May.

This cost of education package is in addition to the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for eligible undergraduate students.

Student Assistance Fund

Mr Harris also announced a once-off increase to the Student Assistance Fund of €1,476,541m, bringing the total investment to over €19m.

He added: “Since this department was established, we have made important changes.

“We know there is much more to do but I really do believe our record shows we are standing up for families and making sure that cost is not a barrier to accessing education.”

He told reporters the funding will benefit around 60,000 students.

Parents will also be able to claim a €750 tax credit for paying towards the cost of their children’s accommodation.

Minister Harris was asked about a report that student doctors from the Republic of Ireland will be subsidised to study in the North in an initiative to get more medics into the HSE.

Under it, students will pay for a course in the North what they could expect to pay in the South.

With fees across the border being considerably higher, this will see the State paying the balance over €3,000.

In return, they will have to make a commitment to work in the HSE.

He said: “This will start from September. The idea behind it is a very simple one. We need to use every education resource that is available on the island of Ireland to help meet the skills and needs of people on this island.

“There is probably no more important area than the area of health.”

The increase to the Student Assistance Fund will provide additional financial support to eligible full- or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the cost of living while attending college.

The fund is designed to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support and provide emergency financial assistance for other students.

An eligible student can apply through the access office of the institution they are attending.

Money for the fund can be used for a variety of costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including books and food.

It also covers essential travel, childcare costs and medical costs.

The additional funding includes €173,568 to Technological University Dublin, €146,029 to South East Technological University, €124,789 to University College Dublin and €109,820 to University College Cork.