Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail any work his Department is undertaking to analyse the reason the numbers qualifying for SUSI grants has fallen over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by my Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. The Scheme is administered by SUSI.
The scheme is demand led and as such the numbers applying each year can change for reasons such as demographics and the expansion and extension of alternative educational opportunities.
For example, in 2020/21, there was an increase in the number of applications for support and an increase in the number of students seeking a review based on the change of circumstances provisions in the scheme. This was primarily due to the impact that Covid-19 had on people’s income levels. The 2020 Leaving Cert cohort was also up circa 4% on the 2019 figure.
In 2021/22, there was a reduction in application numbers. This may have been due to an increased number of alternative educational opportunities not supported by SUSI being rolled out during 2021, such as the expansion and extension of the apprenticeship programmes.
In relation to the percentage of overall applicants qualifying for a grant, these have remained relatively stable over the last number of years. For example, those awarded a grant in 2015/16 was 77.64% of the total applications received, compared to 78.23% in 2021/22.
The Student Grant Scheme is reviewed annually to ensure that it remains up to date with regard to policy issues arising across Government and my department also engages with SUSI on a regular basis to analyse possible trends on the Student Grant Scheme.
