Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase student funding over the next four years to at least the average rate of other high income western European EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39052/17]
View answerThere are significant differences between EU countries in terms of the level of public expenditure allocated to higher education and the types of direct and indirect supports given to students and private households.
The student support system adopted in each EU country generally involves a combination of either grants (needs based grants and/or merit based grants), loans, tax benefits and/or family allowances. For example, in Ireland we provide grant support to circa 45% of full-time undergraduate students. By comparison, there are no needs-based grants available to students in England. Instead support to cover the costs of attending college, is provided via student loans.
In 2017, my Department will invest almost €450m in access measures to assist students from under-represented groups to participate in and complete higher education.
The principal support is the student grant scheme, which makes available means-tested financial assistance to students in further and higher education. Under the terms of the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students on full-time courses who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. It is anticipated that the scheme will benefit circa 80,000 students in 2017/18. Other key supports include the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
In Budget 2017, I secured additional funding of €36.5m for the higher education sector, as part of a €160m three year funding package. This includes €8.5m for access measures, including the reintroduction of postgraduate maintenance grants for the most disadvantaged students. This additional money will allow the sector keep pace with demographic increases and introduce targeted initiatives in areas such as disadvantage, skills, research and flexible learning. Among those who will benefit from the additional third level funding being made available are students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lone parents, and Travellers.
Proposals to develop a more sustainable funding model for the higher education system are contained in the Cassells report that is currently being considered by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills. I referred the Cassells report to the Joint Committee in order to build political consensus around the most appropriate future funding model for higher education.
In addition, my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are currently considering a proposed Exchequer-Employer investment mechanism for higher education and further education and training. The proposal under consideration seeks to deliver up to an additional €200m per annum by 2020 through an increase in the National Training Fund levy.
