Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
109. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a report has been done on the number of students not taking up college places due to the cost-of-living and housing crises; and the support that can be given to students who find themselves in this position. [59816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for my Department has been to ensure third level education is accessible for everyone. While data is not available on students who do not take up courses, I absolutely recognise that cost has the potential to be a barrier to entry and participation.
That is why, as part of the Government's overall response to cost-of-living pressures, I announced a wide-ranging package of financial measures in Budget 2023 to quickly respond to the financial challenges currently being experienced by students and their families.
These measures include:
- a reduction in the student contribution rate of €1,000 for this academic year;
- an additional maintenance grant payment which is being paid out to students before Christmas;
- an increase of between 10 and 14% in SUSI maintenance grant rates that will come into effect from next January;
- continued support for the Student Assistance Fund, with over €17 million allocated for this academic year.
- PhD students funded by the SFI and the IRC will also benefit from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year, with an ongoing increase of €500 in such stipends thereafter.
- post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from SUSI will benefit from a once off increase in their grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.
I have also made a number of changes for the next academic year to address ongoing costs of education including:
- increasing the income threshold for the student contribution 50% grant to €62,000
- introducing a reduction of €500 in the student contribution for eligible SUSI grant applicants earning between €62,000 and €100,000
- putting in place a permanent increase in the support for Post Graduate fees under SUSI by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000
I have also introduced a new Cost of Education options paper, which was published for the first time this year, which will allow further options to support students and families to be identified during the course of 2023 in advance of Estimates decisions later in the year.
Question No. 110 answered orally.
