Paper outlines “levers to reduce the cost of education for students and their families”
The Irish government has outlined its options for reducing costs for students and their families across further and higher education, research and apprenticeships.
In its third annual Cost of Education paper, published on 16 September, the government sets out considerations in advance of this year’s budget. These include the costs associated with reducing the student contribution, increasing the support available to grantholders, reducing the cost of student accommodation and other measures aimed at reducing the financial burden of studying.
“The paper outlines potential levers to reduce the cost of education for students and their families,” said research minister Patrick O’Donovan.
“Last year’s paper informed budget considerations. Budget 2024 provided significant improvements to student supports, including increases to maintenance grants [and] a new part-time fee scheme for specified undergraduate courses.”
In April, a meeting of stakeholders took place to open a public discussion on the various choices available to improve student support. According to a government statement, “significant feedback on the day contributed to the preparation of this paper”.
The publication comes a week after an OECD report indicated that Ireland invests less in education than any other OECD country. Meanwhile, Linda Doyle, provost of Trinity College Dublin, said on 13 September that without sustainable funding, “universities are facing the risk of a quiet and gradual decline—a slow retreat from competitiveness and attractiveness”.
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