Third level student contribution fee to be cut by €150
The Irish government has announced a €14.4bn education budget for 2027, including a €150 cut to student contribution fees and increased funding for special education. The package also emphasizes AI-related skills training and apprenticeship expansion to prepare the workforce for future economic demands.
Why it matters
This budget directly impacts the cost of living for families and shapes the long-term educational and economic strategy of Ireland regarding AI integration.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has announced a permanent reduction to the third level student contribution fee of €150.
Speaking in the Dáil as he delivered his Budget 2027 speech , Mr Chambers said this will ease cost-of-living pressures on families and ensure widen participation in higher education.
The Minister also said he will introduce new grants for families with more than one child attending higher education and an increase of the SUSI maintenance grant rates by 4.5% from January.
Overall, these measures will benefit over 150,000 students and their families, he said.
Mr Chambers said Ireland is well placed to "take advantage of the opportunities that AI offers, but only if we equip our people with the skills of the future", as he announced a €5.3bn allocation to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science next year.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in