Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1342. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what continual funding will be put in place to ensure that the SUSI grant payments are reflective to the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27205/23]
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 and have secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply.
Last month, 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.
