Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 483, 484 and 503 together.

I announced on budget day the intention to have a full review of SUSI, which the Deputy has been calling for. It will start this year and conclude next summer. It is badly needed so we can plan in advance of the next budget what student supports need to look like now. SUSI has worked pretty well as a scheme but equally I believe things have moved on and the scheme needs to adjust.

The two areas I am considering in regard to the €50 million student support scheme are the once-off SUSI top-up and a small rebate. The fund is €50 million. Obviously, the greater the number of students, the smaller the amount per student but, roughly speaking, dividing €50 million by the number of full-time higher education students, 200,000, gives about €250 each. The SUSI top-up and a potential rebate to an account one paid one's contribution fee out of probably comprise the most straightforward approach but we will make a firm decision on that in the coming days.

See this speech in context