Written answers

Wednesday, 13 October 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Fees

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the increase in SUSI grant amounts for students that have taken place since 2011; the increase in the eligible income limits; the changes that have taken place for postgraduate students in these grants; if he plans on increasing the grants or income limits for the 2022-2023 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49841/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the gap in postgraduate grants, from September 2021 I increased the postgraduate fee grant from €2,000 to €3,500. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and will give greater certainty for students in terms of supports. In addition, the fee grant income threshold increased from €31,500 to €54,240 from September 2021.

Following taking up my Ministerial appointment, I initiated a review of the Student Grant Scheme to see where improvements would be most effective. The review is at an advance stage. The final report will be presented to me later this year and I intend bringing this review to Government for approval. It is the intention that this review will inform policy priorities and future considerations regarding development of student grant policy.

In the context of Budget 2022 I am currently giving consideration to the scope to commence the process of making priority improvements to the Student Grant Scheme for the academic year 2022-2023. This would allow early progress in address key themes emerging from the Review's consultations and research and recent trends in the cost of living.

The attached table sets out the increase in SUSI grant amounts for students that have taken place since 2011 and the increase in the eligible income limits.

Please note that the income threshold for the special rate of grant is adjusted in line with Budget increases to the State Contributory Pension plus the maximum Qualified Adult Allowance for a person over 66 years. In 2020, the threshold increased from €24,000 to €24,500.

Also postgraduate students who meet all of the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for a maintenance grant of up to €5,915; the income threshold for this grant for the 2021/22 year is €24,500. Qualifying postgraduate students may also be eligible to have their tuition fees paid up to a maximum fee limit of €6,270.

/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-10-13_pq84-13-10_en.xlsx >Grants

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