Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has announced a package of supports for third level students and researchers, which will allow for increases of up to €342 in maintenance grants from next week.
The package also includes the re-introduction of maintenance grants worth up to €2,384 to eligible post-graduate students;
A €3,000 increase in the stipend for PhD researchers will also be funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland.
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.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said that 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.”
Minister Harris said that 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.
Minister Harris is also announcing a once-off increase to the Student Assistance Fund of €1,476,541 million bringing the total investment to over €19 million.
