Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
57. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to allow students in receipt of Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grants to earn income for weekend work without impacting their eligibility for these grants. [6964/23]
View answerDoes the Minister have any plans to allow students who are in receipt of SUSI grant funding to work at weekends? We know how important that is and he has made changes for people and families. This would enhance students’ work ethic. Moreover, families and students are stretched beyond belief by the cost-of-living crisis. Students should be allowed to work within the scope of their application without being punished.
Not to upset the Deputy, but I think I agree with him on this. His suggestion makes logical sense. There is always a balance to be struck between the importance of encouraging full-time students to focus on their studies, the integrity of their education, etc., on the one hand, and the real world, on the other. In the real world, many people work in part-time jobs, perhaps doing a shift in a bar, in a supermarket or wherever at weekends. Many people probably need to do so, and I am conscious of that.
As the Deputy noted, we have made a number of changes. The main financial support to students is the student grant scheme known as SUSI, which is means tested. Under the scheme, holiday earnings, as they are called, that is, the income a student has earned outside of term time in the previous tax year, can be deducted from the total income assessed up to a maximum level. For students in the current academic year, the maximum level is €4,500, but I increased that in the budget for the next academic year to €6,552. From September, therefore, students will be able to earn €6,552 and disregard that from their SUSI application, up from €4,500.
The point the Deputy makes is a good one. We need to go further on this. In that context, I have asked my officials to prepare a paper for me in respect of it. The idea of regular weekend work, a core component of many students' lives, is something we should reflect. We have done it for the holiday time and increased the threshold, which I am pleased we did, but I would like to see us go further. As I have stated previously in the House, I will publish an options paper in advance of the budget. However, the Deputy can take it that making progress on this is issue high on my priority list.
In the first instance, I thank the staff of SUSI - and, indeed, Geraldine in my office - who do tremendous work in assisting families. We discussed this matter at a meeting with the Minister regarding the South East Technological University in the audiovisual room last October. At that time, he stated that students were allowed to earn only €2,000 during a summer. He indicated he would increase that limit, and he did so. I acknowledge that and thank him for it. The figure was increased from €4,500 to €6,552, which was very welcome and deeply necessary. He did what he said he was going to do, so I acknowledge that and thank him for it.
I know very well some of the towns in the Minister's county, Wicklow. The hospitality industry there employs students and it works both ways. The industry needs students and the students need the work. Allowing them to get a few extra bob, pocket money or whatever takes some of the pressure off families, who are hard pressed at the moment. I am glad the Minister has asked his officials to look at this.
As the Deputy said, he was successful last year in highlighting the issue of holiday earnings. We heard him and other colleagues and acted on that because it was a sensible step to take. I do not want students to be looking at their payslips and worrying that, if they work, within reason, an additional shift at the weekend in a local bar, hotel or supermarket, it will push them out of financial support, to the point where they might decide it is not worth their while continuing with their studies, or that they cannot take the job, at a time when we have shortages especially, but not exclusively, in the hospitality sector.
This is something I am looking at. We have made the change from under €5,000 to more than €6,500, but I would like to go further. The Deputy's suggestion in this regard is reasonable and sensible. In preparing for the Estimates, I will see whether we can build on the progress we have made.
I appreciate that the Minister's officials are examining the matter. It would be wonderful for social cohesion and everything else, given jobs can instil a good work ethic in students whereby they will understand the value of work, as their employers do. In fairness, the vast majority of employers and employees have a good relationship. There may be the odd rogue employer and they should not be supported at all.
It is very positive and good for students to be able to work. I was a student at third level, and I know how it goes. I even combined a dancing career with it as well - an gnó ar fad. I am delighted the Minister is looking at this. I hope there will be good news when it comes to budget 2024.
I know my limitations, so I will not give any views or advice on dancing, a matter I will leave to the Deputy. He clearly managed to juggle quite a lot in getting through education, dancing and a job.
The serious point in all this is there is a cost-of-living challenge for many people, and I accept there is a cost to going to college and to education. I also fully accept there are many people, in both rural and urban Ireland, who are looking for somebody to work in their pub, hotel, supermarket, shop, pharmacy or wherever else. If it is possible to do both, as I think it is in a certain way such as weekend work, I do not think students should be overly penalised in the context of their SUSI grants. I will try to make more progress on this in the Estimates in the autumn.
