People studying part-time at undergraduate level will be eligible for a SUSI grant for fees from September 2024.
While details of the new scheme are still being worked out, it will cover awards at Levels 6,7, or 8 and will be open to applicants with incomes below €55,924.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said the fees associated with part-time programmes were a key barrier to higher education access and that "vulnerable cohorts, including low-income families, lone parents, teen parents, widows and carers" would benefit.
The measures being introduced in September will cover fees only.
Mr Harris said his Department would "will work towards maintenance grants in future years".
Further and Higher Education Budget 2024 measures also include a €3,000 increase in the PhD stipend paid to researchers on programmes funded via Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.
There will also be a new scheme to help small and medium enterprises with the cost of upskilling and reskilling their employees.
An additional €1 million is being provided to design and pilot a scheme to incentivise SMEs to participate in lifelong learning.
This pilot will focus on areas of particular challenges including digital, and climate skills.
The Union of Students in Ireland has said that the increased stiped for PhD students is welcome but does not reach the level recommended in a recent independent report.
The increase brings the stipend for PhD researchers in State-funded positions from €19,000 to €22,000 in January.
The USI has said this falls short of the increase to €25,000 recommended in the Independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers, commissioned by Minister Harris's office.
