Abbey Theatre

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Questions (61)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

61. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if clarification has been sought from the Minister for Justice and Equality on persons who have come here under the family reunification scheme accessing student grants and supports such as BTEA in view of the fact they are excluded from the list of those that qualify; his views on reforming the list to include persons that have come here under the scheme; if clarification has not been sought, if representations will be made to the Minister for Justice and Equality for student fees for those under the scheme to be waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10857/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In order to qualify for grant support under my Department’s Student Grant Scheme, and funding toward tuition fees under the Free Fees Initiative, a student has to meet certain criteria such as means (in the case of a grant), residency, nationality and progression.

The eligibility criteria for student grants, including the nationality criteria is reviewed annually in my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform following consultation with various stakeholders. It is anticipated that the Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations for the 2019/20 academic year will be published in early April 2019. Students attending college in the academic year 2019/20 will be required to submit their grant application to SUSI (via www.susi.ie) to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.

Currently, funding is available under the Student Grant Scheme and the Free Fees Initiative for Irish, EU/EEA or Swiss Federation nationals. It is also available to other classes of students such as refugees, persons with subsidiary protection and certain persons granted humanitarian leave to remain.

The following categories, relating specifically to family members, may also qualify for grant support:

- Permission to remain as the family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons Regulations) 2006 and 2008 and EU Directive 2004/38/EC;

- Permission to remain because of marriage/civil partnership with an Irish national or as dependent child of such person; or

- Permission to remain as a dependent child of a person who has acquired Irish Citizenship by naturalisation, residing in the State.

My Department will provide circa €440m for measures to help people to access further and higher education in 2019.

The Department of Justice and Equality adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and their rights to access supports within the State. It should also be noted that the Back to Education Allowance is a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) support.