Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
38. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the SUSI review and if consideration is being given to extending the scheme to part-time and postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36826/21]
View answer43. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the communication of the final report on the review of the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36825/21]
View answer54. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the advancement of the reforms of the SUSI grant; the expected date for any changes to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36846/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 43 and 54 together.
The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
SUSI opened its application process for the 2021/22 academic year on March 31 and to date has received almost 74,000 applications.
This year’s scheme includes enhanced supports for postgraduate students which I secured in Budget 2021. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support. I also secured an additional €20m in Budget 2021 to meet anticipated demands on the scheme as a consequence of the Covid pandemic.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme.
My Department is overseeing the implementation of the review. A Steering Committee has been established to provide direction for the external consultants undertaking the review. Its membership includes: the Union of Students of Ireland; Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), SOLAS, the HEA; Irish University Association (IUA); Technological Higher Education Association (THEA); Technological University Dublin (TUD), the Department of Social Protection and officials from my Department.
A public consultation process closed in April with over 280 submissions received. The views of students were sought via an online survey process in May and over 9,000 survey responses were received. The consultants appointed to conduct the review, are carrying out their analysis of the data captured in the surveys. The findings will inform policy priorities for the next Estimates process and future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.
Further details on the public consultation process for the review can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/bb832-public-consultation-on-review-of-student-grant-scheme-susi-student-universal-support-ireland/
