Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
88. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that students who secure a third level place are not prevented from taking-up their place as a result of the housing and cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26709/23]
View answerAddressing the cost of education is a key priority for me.
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.
For students starting their course this September, I have increased grant rates, with all maintenance grant rates increasing by at least 10%. Both the special rate of grant and Band 1, which apply to those with least means have increased by 14%. I was pleased to be able to effect these changes from 1st January this year.
In addition, I have taken measures to ensure that more undergraduate students than ever before will now be entitled to a form of support by-
• increasing the income threshold to qualify for the 50% Student Contribution Grant and
• introducing a new Student Contribution Grant of €500 for qualifying families on incomes between €62,000 and €100,000.
I have also increased the amount a student can earn outside of term time, without it counting as income for their grant, to €6,552, and I have enhanced postgraduate supports.
I am actively working to address the challenges faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation. I have secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply of affordable student accommodation. This policy has resulted in the State directly supporting the construction of over 1,100 new student accommodation units. In addition, my officials are continuing to assess a number of other projects with planning permission for delivery of additional supply.
In the immediate term, my Department supports the campaigns being run by higher education institutions to find accommodation in the private rental sector for students through the Rent a Room or “student digs” in family homes. Recent changes have extended the disregard of income earned under the Rent-a-Room relief to social welfare recipients and applicants under the Student Grant Scheme. The Government has also approved the extension of the disregard for both Medical Card Holders and Local Authority tenants and work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes. This scheme allows homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income before paying tax.
Last week, I met with students and other stakeholders at our first Cost of Education event, and the views from this consultation will feed into a cost of education paper which I will publish in the Summer. This will set out the full range of options on what interventions should be prioritised in the Budget to continue to make the greatest impact in addressing costs as a barrier to further and higher education.
