Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1043. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date; if external costs were incurred; if so, the details of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30884/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was formed in August 2020. The response to this question will be from that date onwards.

The following policy reviews have been undertaken by my Department.

The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to higher education expenditure, including student grants for the following academic year, are considered in the context of the Budget.

The costs incurred in relation to the annual review of the Student Grant Scheme were:

- 2020: €2047 – Irish Translation for the Student Grant Scheme 2020 and the Student Support Regulations 2020; Printing Services; OPW invoices in respect of Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations 2020.

- 2021: €2760.76 – Irish Translation of Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations 2021; Go Gaeilge invoice; Central Translations LTD;

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to Review the Student Grant Scheme in 2020 following the impact of COVID-19. This review commenced internally in March 2020 when monitoring of the impact in terms of increased applications, higher qualifying grant rates, and change of circumstances commenced. The work continued throughout 2020 and 2021 and was finalised in April 2021.

Indecon Research Economics were appointed on 20/02/2020 by the Department to undertake an independent review and evaluation of Ireland’s Education Strategy (2016-2020); Irish Educated Globally Connected. The completed review will be used to inform future policy development in the area of international education. The total contract amount came to €107,327.

Since 2017, the Spending Review has become a key platform for evaluative analysis across the Civil Service. While Value for Money Reviews continue to be produced across a number of Departments, some of this work is now completed as part of the Spending Review which is led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. More details on the process can be found here: . Since its formation, the Department has not been involved in any Spending Reviews.