Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this funding, which represents a positive development. Earlier the Minister of State mentioned an additional €20 million for SUSI grants.

That is certainly welcome but, on a connected matter, will the threshold regarding the amount of money students in part-time work can earn be increased? I understand it is currently €4,500, which is very low. This also leads to a disincentive for students to find part-time work to help fund their education. The Minister of State may not have that information here today but I would be grateful if it could be provided in writing.

On the issue with which we are presented today, students who get the SUSI grant get a top-up of €250 while students who do not get that grant get a credit note of €250. There is a difficulty with that. A constituent contacted me on this matter. It is welcome that the students will receive this payment of €250 before Christmas but my constituent raised the issue of qualifications for this payment. It has been stated that this money will be given via a top-up in the SUSI maintenance grant or by way of credit note for students who are not in receipt of this payment. The student concerned will receive a €250 credit note which can be used for on-campus services or any outstanding fees to be paid to third level institutions. This year alone, this student has paid a €224 student levy contribution to the National University of Ireland, Galway. He also pays rent of €475 a month in Galway. He is therefore not in a position to use that once-off student support grant of €250, which would be of great help to him.

The sense I get from him is that, by giving some students the €250 cash sum on top of the regular maintenance grant, another barrier to education has effectively been created. Most students, regardless of the SUSI fees grant, will have their fees paid off by now either with money earned working full time throughout the pandemic or with a loan they have secured. Campuses around the country are closed and there is little to no hope of colleges reopening after Christmas. On top of this, for final year students like my constituent, a €250 credit note will not mean much as such students may not be returning to full-time education next year once they graduate. Will the Minister of State look at this issue to see if something can be done in the interest of fairness? The €250 is obviously very welcome but, in order to improve the situation for some students such as my constituent, I would be grateful if the Minister of State could look at the matter.