Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for his question. I know he is interested in all these areas. In considering this issue, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. I have just announced a review of Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, this week. Currently in Ireland, about 44% of students attending college have their fees paid for in full or in part by the student grant system. There is no doubt that this support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. However, I am not satisfied that this is enough. That is why I am carrying out a full review of SUSI, to report by next summer. What was previously the preserve of a relatively small proportion of the school-leaving population is now much more widely available, as reflected in the current transfer rate from second level to third level. The Exchequer currently contributes €340 million to meeting the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students in higher education. In addition, the Exchequer pays the student contribution for approximately 44% of students at a cost of more than €180 million.

While Ireland was on level 5 of the plan for living with Covid, all further and higher education institutions delivered the majority of their classes online, with only essential activities held on-site. While I appreciate that this was very disappointing for students who had hoped to have as much time on campus as possible, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of Covid-19. As we moved to level 3, I have been honest with people that the bulk of college will remain online. There is a shared ambition between my Department and the sector to increase face-to-face learning on a phased and incremental basis. Students will be brought into college in small groups for tutorials and the like but large-scale learning will remain online for the rest of the year. Priority groups should be identified by each institution, in particular first-year students.

I have taken a number of measures this year to support students financially in other ways. The Deputy will be aware that the student assistance fund has been doubled. A €50 million financial assistance package will result in an increase of €250 in the SUSI grants going out this Friday. We will provide 17,000 laptops for students for blended or online learning. Mental health supports will be increased by an additional €3 million. I have a view on the registration fee, which I have put on the record of this House previously. Next year, we will have the European Commission's input into our economic evaluation of options for a sustainable model of funding for higher education.

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