Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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474. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to overhaul the current SUSI grants system and investigate and implement a student loan system similar to the UK and Australia (details supplied). [41709/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Student Grant Scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold, or in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.

For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.

In line with the Programme for Government, I recently announced plans to review the SUSI scheme.  It is intended that the Review will commence before the end of 2020, and will report in Summer 2021.  Stakeholders will be consulted as part of the Review process, and it is intended that the future direction of the SUSI scheme will be guided by the outcome of the Review.

The development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education.  The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy against the backdrop of rapid technological change. 

In that context, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is underway supported under the European Commission DG Reform Programme.

My Department is working closely with the European Commission and the independently appointed consultants.  The key aim of this review is to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland, including an examination of the funding options. One of the potential options included for assessment as part of the review is a system of deferred fee payments through income contingent loans.

Completion of this work will allow for an informed debate on the appropriate policy approach to future funding which is fundamental to Ireland's economic and social sustainability.