Written answers

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Fees

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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663. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to review the eligibility criteria for SUSI grants to allow those on a stamp 4 to qualify for grants and free fees; if a review of the current eligibility criteria is underway; when this criteria was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50382/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Justice and Equality adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and on the stamp that is awarded where permission to remain is sanctioned.

The granting of certain permissions to reside in the State conveys certain rights as provided for in legislation, including access to education in line with the rights of an Irish citizen. However some permissions do not convey such entitlements.  Determination of these permissions are a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality and are outside the remit of my Department.

In relation to funding under the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The nationality requirements for the Student Grant Scheme are set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2021. To qualify for a student grant, the candidate's nationality or his/her immigration status in the State determines whether or not he/she meets the nationality requirement outlined in the Act and Regulations. Further information in relation to the nationality requirements are available from SUSI's website: susi.ie/nationality-criteria/

Permission to remain in the State on the basis of a Stamp 4 Visa, of itself, does not meet the nationality requirements of the Student Grant Scheme 2021. However, article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 provides for a review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of a change of circumstances in the academic year, including a change in relation to a student's nationality or immigration status. Where a student acquires Irish citizenship by naturalisation, or is granted one of the permission to remain criterion provided for in the Act or Regulations during the course of their studies, he/she may apply to SUSI to have his/her application re-assessed.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. However, a comprehensive appeals process is in place for any student who is of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case. Details of same are available from SUSI’s website: susi.ie/quick-links/appealing-your-grant-decision/

Under the Departments Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements of the scheme.

Where students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and therefore the criteria governing the level of fee payable by students (EU or non-EU) is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme and the Free Fees Initiative, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website,

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