Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
79. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements he has with a union (details supplied) on their recent campaign in regard to rising college fees, rising student living and accommodation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58646/21]
View answerI have engaged closely with student representatives on issues concerning the costs of higher education for students.
It is important to be aware of the support available for students including state funding of the registration fee for an estimated 45% of students. In fact my Department will spend over €400 million on student supports in 2021 including the Student Grant scheme which assists over 74,000 students annually to access third level education.
I am deeply aware of the strain that the rising cost of living and the continuing pandemic has placed on our students. I have prioritised addressing the concerns of students in the budgetary and policy decisions which I have taken.
in a context of limited resources, I have to decide on the most impactful measures which will benefit the greatest numbers of people and those most in need of support.
In Budget 2022 I made the first changes to SUSI grant rates and eligibility thresholds in a decade. An additional €200 in the rate will benefit all 62,000 students in receipt of a SUSI maintenance payment. The change in the thresholds of €1,000 and adjacency rates will widen eligibility and provide higher rates of grant to many already in the scheme.
In recognition of the particular impacts on students in financial difficulty, I have also directed additional €22m in Covid specific funding to students through the Student Assistance Fund and priority groups in the new National Access Plan.
I am conscious of the challenges of student accommodation and my Department is actively engaged on the Interdepartmental Working Group on Student Accommodation. Fundamentally we need to increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation.
That is why the Government has launched Housing for All. The plan is backed by the largest ever housing budget in the history of the State to transform our housing system, in excess of €20bn.
