Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
131. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his further plans to make third-level education more affordable for students and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25241/22]
View answerAddressing costs as a barrier to education for students and their families is a major priority for me. That is why I commissioned the review of the Student Grant Scheme, which was published on 4 May.
The review involved wide stakeholder engagement, an extensive consultation with students and research into the costs of higher education.
The review identifies a number of issues, including:
- the rising costs affecting students over the past decade,
- the fact that the income thresholds for eligibility in the scheme have not kept pace with the rise of earnings over the same period,
- particular costs for those who travel long distances to their place of education and the costs associated with postgraduate study.
I have already taken a number of steps to alleviate financial pressures, which help to tackle issues raised in the Student Grant Review. These include:
- Increasing the grant payment for all those in receipt of a maintenance grant by €200;
- Increasing the qualifying thresholds by €1,000 to bring more people into the grant scheme;
- Changing the qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of grant to help students who live further away from college;
- Increasing the postgraduate fee grant from €2,000 to €3,500 and increasing the postgraduate fee grant income threshold.
I have committed to publishing an annual costs of education paper, which will set out the range of options to address costs, including changes to the Student Grant Scheme and student contributions. This will seek to inform decision-making at Budget time regarding the measures which can be taken to continue to support students and their families.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
