Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
110. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being considered for third level cross-Border students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31379/20]
View answerAs part of the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK, students from Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland, will continue to access higher education as currently applies. This means that they will continue to be treated the same as students in the other jurisdiction and they will continue to have access to SUSI grants, subject to the current eligibility requirements.
The higher education free fees scheme is an administrative scheme, and as such, it falls to the Minster for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make that decision. Eligibility conditions for SUSI grants, however, fall within scope of the Student Support Act 2011, and legislative amendments must be made to allow Irish students use their grants while studying in the UK, and for students from Northern Ireland to access SUSI supports while studying in Irish higher education institutions. These amendments are being managed through the forthcoming Omnibus Brexit Bill 2020.
