Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
723. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the poverty students are experiencing due to the increase in fuel cost given that many students drive to college due to the lack of bus services in rural areas and the lack of accommodation available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14690/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student grant is an absolutely critical support for the students who receive it. That is why, following taking up my Ministerial appointment, I initiated a Review of the Student Grant Scheme to see where improvements would be most effective. The importance of this Review has been underlined by the rise in the costs of living across society. This has impacted students who have been affected by the increasing costs of accommodation and a range of other costs.
It is my strong view that cost and access issues must be considered in tandem with the issues of system funding and reform. If we want the best outcomes, we need a well funded system which is accessible to people regardless of their background. Reform of the student support system can also be a critical enabler of other strategic outcomes across the tertiary system, including enhanced lifelong learning and stronger diversity among the postgraduate community. Given these interconnections, it is my intention to bring the Student grant review to Cabinet alongside the report on funding and reform of higher education.
Implementing the Report recommendations is a key priority for my Department. Accordingly, I have already initiated improvements to the Student Grant Scheme for the academic year 2022/23 to allow early progress in addressing key themes emerging from the Review of SUSI, and to further alleviate the pressures arising from the recent trends in the cost of living for students and their families. These changes have been targeted at alleviating cost of living pressures for students and their families, supporting students who have to travel longer distances to their institution, recognising the need to reflect changes in income levels and expanding supports for postgraduates.
The changes I made in Budget 2022, will mean that from the next academic year:-
- All student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, will increase by €200 per year.
- The income thresholds to qualify for the standard rates of student grant will increase by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km. This means from the commencement of the 2022/23 academic year, students who reside 30km or more from the college attended will now qualify for the higher, non-adjacent rate of grant (of up to €6,115 for the non-adjacent special rate of grant for the most disadvantaged students).
These changes will benefit thousands of students and will build on the improvements that have already been made through this year’s student grant scheme.
In addition, I understand the Department of Transport have introduced a new "Youth Travel Card" as part of Budget 2022, which will offer 50% discount on fares across the public transport network for those aged 19 to 23.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, 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 third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. In 2020 and 2021, as part of the package of COVID supports, the Department allocated €10m to an Access Funding package which resulted in the doubling of the Student Assistance Fund (€8.1m) and additional funding of €1.9m for other vulnerable students in line with the National Access Plan and through existing structures within HEIs. Also in 2021, an additional €1.3m was allocated to the SAF to meet the additional demands identified by the Higher Education Institutions arising from COVID19.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
