A record €4.5bn allocated for the higher education sector is a big win for students in Cork, Fine Gael General Election Candidate for Cork North West Cllr. John Paul O’Shea has said.
Cllr. O’Shea said, “Budget 2025 a game-changer, and Fine Gael is absolutely committed making sure everyone pursuing education has the chance to succeed.
“We’re opening up access to grants by raising the SUSI income thresholds by 15pc, which means thousands more students can qualify for financial support.
“Slashing the student contribution fee by €1,000 will go a long way in easing the pressure on families in Cork 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.
“And 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.
“But that’s not all – we’re tackling the student housing crisis by dedicating €7.5m to accommodation initiatives and continuing the 50pc 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.
“Additionally, thanks to my colleague Minister Patrick O’Donovan, we’re making changes to ensure more students in Cork can access vital financial aid by raising the postgraduate and student part-time fee scheme income thresholds to €64,315.
“To top it off, businesses in Cork will benefit from a €20m Skills Package, helping local companies upskill their workforce and compete in the global economy. This is a win-win for students and businesses alike.
“These initiatives represent the future of Cork’s education and workforce—ensuring that students and businesses alike are equipped for success” Cllr. O’Shea concluded.
