Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
132. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on his recent meeting with student and stakeholder groups to discuss reducing the cost of third level education; when he expects the options paper to be published; the other measures he and his Department are examining to reduce the costs for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26588/23]
View answerThe improvement to the student grant scheme has been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment and I have made many improvements benefitting thousands of students. Over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families including a significant package of cost of living measures which took effect this academic year. .
I am committed to the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, within the overall context of Government policy towards costs of living and other relevant strategies including those related to access and participation in education.
I was delighted to open the first stakeholder event to inform my Department’s options paper on reducing the cost of higher education student on the 25 May 2023. This was an opportunity for students, student representatives, people who work with students on a day to day basis and organisations who advocate for underrepresented groups to have their say on what should be included in our annual options paper. The event was attended by over 100 people and significant feedback was provided to my Department, who will consider all feedback when preparing the options paper which will be published in advance of the budget.
As I look towards the next budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society.
