Thousands of Irish households are set to receive a €1,000 cash boost and a double payment.
Following on from the announcement of Budget 2023, the government confirmed that a string of new measures would be introduced to tackle the current cost of living crisis.
These include €600 worth of energy credits, social welfare bonuses and tax cuts.
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There have also been a number of measures put in place to help students.
Minister Michael McGrath announced on Tuesday that there would be several once-off cuts made to the costs associated with going to college this year, with more measures beginning in the next academic year, reports RSVP.
Here's everything you need to know.
Student Contribution Charge
The student contribution fee has been reduced by €1000 this year for undergraduate students who are eligible for free fees.
This will see the fee reduce by €500 from next year for families earning between €55,240 and €100,000.
SUSI
Students Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland's national awarding authority for all Further and Higher education grants.
The key changes made to the SUSI grant scheme for this academic year are below.
- A double SUSI maintenance grant payment will be paid in December 2022.
- Students will get an incremental increase in their grant starting in January 2023.
- A further €8 million has been allocated to the Student Assistance Fund for the 2022/23 academic year.
- Postgraduate students who qualify for the SUSI grant will get a once-off payment of €1,000.
- PhD students getting Science Foundation Ireland or Irish Research Council awards will get a payment of €500.
- From next year the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant will increase to €62,000 per year, and the Postgraduate SUSI fee grant will increase by €500.
Meanwhile, domestic electricity customers will receive three instalments of €200 energy credits to help reduce electricity bills over the coming months.
The first payment will be made in November 2022. While the second credit will be made in January 2023, and the third in March 2023.
The Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme is part of the package of supports to combat the cost of living and applies to all domestic electricity accounts registered with an electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland.
Similar to credits paid between April and June 2022, the payment will be automatic, and you will not need to apply for it.
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