Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
415. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 8 February 2022, when the SUSI review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12897/22]
View answerI recognise that cost can be major factor for many people in accessing higher education, and I am committed to delivering on the Programme for Government’s commitments regarding SUSI. In addition to commissioning a major review of the scheme, I have also prioritised expansion and reform of the scheme in budgetary allocations.
I commissioned a major review of the Student Grant Scheme, which has been conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants under the direction of a steering group chaired by my Department and comprising a number of stakeholders.
It is my intention to bring the final report to Government shortly. It is my strong view that cost and access issues must be considered in tandem with the issues of system funding and reform. If we want the best outcomes, we need a well funded system which is accessible to people regardless of their background. Reform of the student support system can also be a critical enabler of other strategic outcomes across the tertiary system, including enhanced lifelong learning and stronger diversity among the postgraduate community.
Given these interconnections, it is my intention to bring the Student grant review to Cabinet alongside the report on funding and reform of higher education.
I have already initiated improvements to the Student Grant Scheme in the past two Budgets. These have been targeted at alleviating cost of living pressures for students and their families, supporting students who have to travel longer distances to their institution, recognising the need to reflect changes in income levels and expanding supports for postgraduates.
The changes I made in Budget 2022, will mean that from the next academic year:-
- All student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, will increase by €200 per year.
- The income thresholds to qualify for the standard rates of student grant will increase by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students, building on the improvements that have already been made for postgraduate students through this year’s student grant scheme.
