Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
20. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI qualification thresholds will be increased; the other initiatives he plans to assist students and their families meet the financial challenges of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36763/21]
View answerI am acutely conscious of the difficulties which are experienced by students and their families on low incomes and the critical role of the Student Grant Scheme in supporting access and participation in higher education.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to higher education expenditure, including student grants for the 2021/22 academic year, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.
I secured approval in Budget 2021 to enhance postgraduate grant supports from this September. This year the postgraduate fee grant will increase from €2,000 to €3,500 and the income threshold for eligibility for these grants will increase from €31,500 to €54,240. This is an initial step in implementing the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support. In addition an extra €20m is being made available to meet additional demands on the SUSI scheme due to the pandemic.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. To take forward this commitment I established a review of the Student Grant Scheme. This review is currently underway, and being conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants, under the direction of a steering group chaired by my Department and comprising a number of stakeholders.
It is anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future priorities regarding the development of student grant policy, including in the context of forthcoming Estimates process for 2022.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
