Written Answers Nos. 74-89
79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the full details of what was announced in Budget 2024 for students and how they might avail of the various schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45260/23]
View answerI am once again providing a significant package of measures to support students. We acknowledge that cost is a barrier to education and we’re continuing to break down that barrier and make further and higher education more accessible for more people.
For the second year in a row, I have reduced the student contribution fee by €1,000 for undergraduate students eligible for free fees. This will assist circa 94,000 students. If your household income is less than €100,000, you may be are eligible for a further €500 reduction in fees meaning the fee for college will be €1,500. In addition to that, if your fees were €1,500 – they will now be €1,000.
These are real and substantial changes for thousands of students and their families.
If you have paid your fees, your university will refund you or offer you a credit towards your next payment.
In addition to this, we have increased the student maintenance grant from September 2024. This will increase all non-adjacent maintenance rates by €615 and all adjacent maintenance rates by 10%. This will be effective from January 2024 on a pro rata basis benefit, so eligible undergraduate and PLC students in the current academic year will see their grant payments increase from January.
Grants for all eligible postgraduate students are being restored for the first time since the financial crash. Increases will also be effective from January 2024. This will have a significant impact for students with some receiving a €2,000 boost.
Postgraduate students who currently receive the special rate of grant will benefit from the maintenance grant increases previously outlined.
In addition to the above, I am increasing two student grant income thresholds. From September 2024 c3000 students may be eligible to receive a maintenance grant for the first time on foot of these increases and fees will be removed for an estimated additional c3,400 eligible students who earn less than €55,924 .
And for the first time ever, the student grant scheme will be extended to eligible part-time students.
I genuinely believe that this has the potential to be seismic in the context of opening up opportunities for people and is a major step in the reform of the education system.
81. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the progress on enabling technological universities to borrow to supply student accommodation. [45799/23]
View answerIn recognition of the need to stimulate supply of student accommodation, the Government has supported my Department to develop policy responses to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions.
In November 2022, Government approved investment of €1 million in 2023/2024 to assist our Technological Universities to undertake a needs assessment for student accommodation in key regional areas. Department officials and the Higher Education Authority have been extensively engaging with the sector to progress this study.
The HEA is currently finalising the first report of this study, which is a supply and demand analysis of student accommodation across each region. This report will inform long term policy development for state supported student accommodation for the TU sector. The remaining work programmes of this study will commence imminently to design a framework for student accommodation for the TU sector. I would like to thank the TU sector including TUS for their work to date and for their continued co-operation in ensuring the success of this framework.
The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to institutions of higher education, including TUs. My Department and I are working with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for the Technological University (TU) sector, as part of an assessment of a range of mechanisms for the delivery of student accommodation for the TU sector. The options arising from the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement.
Latest data from the HEA shows there are 91 purpose built student beds with planning permission applied for in the TUS Westmeath region, in addition there are 285 beds with planning permission granted. As of the 13th October there are 124 beds available in digs accommodation in the region.
82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to discuss the development of Cavan Institute as a hub for further education and training. [45259/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for her question. The Deputy will be aware that Cavan Monaghan ETBs proposal for Cavan Town under the College of the Future Major Projects fund was successful at the first stage of the assessment process.
This proposal has moved to the next stage of development, which involves the development of a preliminary business case which is a fundamental part of the public spending code requirements.
It is envisaged that the proposal will look at providing additional accommodation which will be complementary to and work in collaboration with the current FET Training campus to further consolidate provision of FET programmes at Levels 5 and 6, as well as apprenticeships from a centralised, flagship college.
SOLAS are working closely with Cavan Monaghan ETB during the development phase of their proposal and Cavan Monaghan ETB along with all other successful ETBs are working to finalise their preliminary business cases.
To address interim accommodation needs, I have also approved the acquisition and fit out of a substantial modular unit for CMETB, facilitating the opening of the new Education and Training Facility for Cavan Institute at its FET Campus last month. This facility gives 300 students access to a range of PLC programmes and allows for the further growth of Cavan Institute.
Capital investment is a key priority for me and for my department and I recognise the importance of infrastructure development to support the FET sector to provide high quality campuses for our learners and teaching staff.
My officials and SOLAS will continue to work closely with Cavan Monaghan ETB to ensure that the appropriate infrastructures are in place to meet the needs of their learners and staff.
