Welcome for student grants increase

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Maintenance grants for higher level students have received an up to 14pc boost from 2 January, as measures from Budget 2023 kicked in.

Those receiving Special and Band 1 grants will see the highest rate increase, while all other maintenance grants have improved by 10pc.

Students will see their rates increase proportionally, with those in the 2023/2024 academic year seeing the full benefit of the rate increase.

The increases have been welcomed by Kildare Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who is Fianna Fail spokesperson for Education. She said that the student maintenance grant is incredibly important for hundreds of students and their families, particularly with the challenges of inflationary pressures and a cost of living crisis.

"The increases come on top of other measures introduced to help students as part of Budget 2023," she notes. "In December, eligible PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate students who receive the Special Rate of grant were paid the equivalent to one extra monthly maintenance grant payment. The undergraduate student contribution fee for eligible higher education students was also reduced by €1,000 for this academic year, along with 50pc reduction in public transport fares."

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