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Third Level Costs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 April 2022

Wednesday, 27 April 2022

Ceisteanna (120)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

120. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of a 1% increase in the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21378/22]

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Freagraí scríofa

The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI, provides grant assistance to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI to determine.

The estimated cost of a 1% increase in the  2021/22 SUSI maintenance grant rates is in the region of €1.63m. As the Deputy may be aware as part of Budget 2022, I increased all maintenance grant  rates by €200, which is significantly more than 1%.

I commissioned a major review of the Student Grant Scheme, which has been conducted by Indecon International Economic Consultants under the direction of a steering group chaired by my Department and comprising a number of stakeholders.

It is my intention to bring the final report to Government shortly.  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.

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