Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
191. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills will be implemented in order to allow those attending private colleges to receive SUSI grants; if so, when students of colleges (details supplied) can expect to receive grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recommendations of the report have been considered in light of the wider Higher Education funding landscape including the Cassells Report and with regard to on-going priorities for funding in the Higher Education area. Many of the recommendations in the report will impact on the Higher Education budget and therefore the Department is not in a position to advance them at this time.
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the Cassells report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector. In order to inform its consideration of the review, the Committee have requested further information from my Department on each of the potential policy options. The recommendations from the Joint Committee will inform future decisions in this policy area. No decisions will be made pending the outcome of the Joint Committee's deliberations.
