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Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Ceisteanna (36)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

36. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to raise the thresholds of eligibility and the grants for higher education grants under the SUSI scheme in view of the rapidly increasing cost of accommodation for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35626/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am very conscious of the many challenges faced by students this year, including in relation to student accommodation.The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to higher education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.

Budget 2021 provided for enhanced postgraduate supports from next year including the fee grant amount rising from €2,000 to €3,500 and the income threshold for eligibility for these grants to increase from €31,500, now €54,240. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support.

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme. It is anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.

The Student Grant Scheme 2021 contains a number of qualifying thresholds for various grant values. These gradations allow students just over a threshold margin, to remain in receipt of a grant, albeit at a reduced rate that reflects their relative income vis-à-vis other applicants.

The scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children. In recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may also be increased by up to €4,830 for each additional family member attending college at the same time. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.

Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away from home. There are also provisions for a number of income disregards which are not counted as reckonable income for the student grant means test.

Particular priority is afforded to those on the lowest incomes and social welfare dependents through the special rate of grant, which is payable at the higher non-adjacent rate of €5,915 or the adjacent rate of €2,375, depending on the distance travelled to the college attended.

Separately, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their higher education studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the higher education institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

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