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Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (526)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

526. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the earnings threshold for the receipt of SUSI grant in view of the current inflation and the extraordinary increase in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16557/22]

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Written answers

I 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 2022/23 academic year, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.

For the academic year 2022/23 the Department has secured through Budget 2022:

- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant.

- The income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant has been increased 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, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.

In 2020 and 2021, as part of the package of COVID supports, the Department allocated €10m to an Access Funding package which resulted in the doubling of the Student Assistance Fund (€8.1m) and additional funding of €1.9m for other vulnerable students in line with the National Access Plan and through existing structures within HEIs.

Also in 2021, an additional €1.3m was allocated to the SAF.

SUSI’s online application process for renewal student grant applications for the 2022/23 academic year opened on 10th March, 2022. New applications will be accepted by SUSI from April 28th, 2022. The priority closing dates for the 2022/23 Student Grant Scheme are 7th July 2022 for new applicants and the 9th June 2022 for renewal students.

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.

The cost of education at third level is consistently considered by my Department in relation to policy developments and reforms, including in relation to a new funding model for higher education.

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