Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way the distances for adjacent and non-adjacent third-level SUSI grants are set; the progress that has been made on the current review of SUSI; if recommended changes will be implemented for 2022-2023 applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49831/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The student grant is an absolutely critical support for the students who receive it. That is why, following taking up my Ministerial appointment, I initiated a Review of the Student Grant Scheme to see where improvements would be most effective. The importance of this Review has been underlined by the rise in the costs of living across society. This has impacted students who have been affected by the increasing costs of accommodation and a range of other costs.

I am happy to give an update on the Programme for Government’s commitment to review the student grant scheme. The review is at an advanced stage, and is in the process of finalisation by the consultations and the steering group. There was significant public interest in the Review, with around 280 submissions and over 9,000 survey responses from students. The final Report will be presented to me later this year and I intend bringing it to Government for approval. It is the intention that this review will inform policy priorities and future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.

The student maintenance grant is payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. Under the terms of the scheme for the 2021/2022 academic year, the adjacent rate of maintenance grant is currently payable in the case of students whose normal residence is 45km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.

In the context of Budget 2022 I am currently giving consideration to the scope, to commence the process of making prioritised improvements to the student grant scheme for the academic year 2022/2023. This would allow early progress in addressing key themes emerging from the Review's consultations and research and recent trends in the cost of living.