Fianna Fáil TD Deputy Brendan Smith has said that a package of supports for third-level students and researchers to help with the cost of education will be an enormous help as they prepare for the return to college.
The package, which was initially announced as part of Budget 2024, will directly benefit students and their families living in the Shannonside Northern Sound region. It includes increases of up to €342 in maintenance grants, the re-introduction of maintenance grants worth up to €2,384 to eligible post-graduate students and a €3,000 increase in the stipend for PhD researchers funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Deputy Smith says the government is committed to helping families manage the cost of living and this was reflected in Budget 2024. He says students and their families in the area will now see the benefit from the cost of education package as it comes into effect
