New opportunities for third level students

A record €4.5 billion allocation to the higher education sector in Budget 2025 represents a significant boost for thousands of third level students in Clare.

That’s the view of Clare General Election candidate Leonora Carey who said that the budget was a practical example of Fine Gael’s commitment to ensuring that everyone pursuing education has the chance to succeed.

“We’re opening up access to grants by raising the SUSI income thresholds by 15%, which means thousands more students can qualify for financial support. That, along with reducing the contribution fee by €1,000 will go a long way in easing the pressure on the thousands of Clare families paying for college. 

“Postgraduate students are set to benefit too, with the grant rising from €4,000 to €5,000. Scholarships will now count for more, as the first €5,000 of any scholarship won’t be included in the means test for grants any longer,” Ms Carey explained.

“We’re making education more inclusive – €5m is being committed to a disability support package, including a pilot programme to ensure that students, no matter their challenges, can access higher education.

“We’re also tackling the student housing crisis by dedicating €7.5m to accommodation initiatives and continuing the 50% travel fare discount for students through to the end of 2025. 

“Apprenticeships are also getting a big boost with €336m in total funding, and we’re reducing the registration fees by a third, from €1,000 to €667.

“We’re making changes to ensure more students can access vital financial aid by raising the postgraduate and student part-time fee scheme income thresholds to €64,315.

“Local businesses will benefit from a €20m Skills Package, helping local companies up-skill their workforce and compete in the global economy. This is a win-win for students and businesses alike,” Ms Carey concluded.