Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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There is no definitive reason for the decrease in the number of student grant applications. We are working to understand the causes behind it. There are some potential explanations for the decrease in applications for SUSI grants and it is likely that the true reason is a mixture of some or all of the hypotheses. It must be stressed that there may be another cause for the decrease in applications. Cost-of-living pressures are affecting students' abilities to undertake education in September. That is especially true of a particular cohort of SUSI applicants. You would have had fewer people applying to SUSI or deferring their college place because of cost-of-living issues. Low unemployment rates and high demand for workers in hospitality is attracting more potential students to work at this time, causing them to defer education. Other reasons being flagged include whether changes in the student experience or learning methods during Covid have led to lower retention rates for students who may be opting to change or drop out.