Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1725. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applications made to date to the student support scheme by eligible school leavers who are in the international protection system; the total amount in funding provided under the scheme, to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1519/25]
View answerA Pilot Support Scheme was introduced in 2015, for prospective students who are in the broad international protection system.
It provides supports to students who are pursuing an approved course in an approved college. It offers grant support along similar lines to the current Student Grant Scheme (the SUSI scheme) to eligible applicants who are in the protection system and who are either:
• Asylum applicants (protection process) – a person who has made an application for refugee status but where a determination has not been made;
• Subsidiary protection applicants (protection process) – a person who has made an application for subsidiary protection but where a determination has not been made;
• Leave to remain applicants – a person who has completed the protection process (i.e. asylum and/or subsidiary protection) and whose eligibility for leave to remain has yet to be considered.
Since 2015, there have been a total of 457 applications to the administrative Student Support Scheme. This figure is subject to change as SUSI continues to process applications for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The total amount in funding administered under the scheme to date is €669,799. This figure only includes the maintenance element for the 2024/25 academic year as the fees amount is not available at present.
The Deputy asked specifically for the number of applications to the scheme by eligible school leavers, however, this information is not available as SUSI do not request this data on application.
