Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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468. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commitment in the Programme for Government for addressing the gap in postgraduate grants particularly in relation to part-time postgraduate grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59108/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

This year’s scheme includes enhanced supports for postgraduate students which I secured in Budget 2021. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support. I also secured an additional €20m in Budget 2021 to meet anticipated demands on the scheme as a consequence of the Covid pandemic.

Approved courses for the Student Grant Scheme are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2021 and in the Student Support Act 2011. The Regulations prescribe that an approved postgraduate course is a full-time course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution listed in the relevant Regulations. Under the current Regulations part-time, Online/Distance learning courses do not meet this definition and are not approved courses under the Student Grant Scheme.

I am happy to give an update on the review of the Student Grant Scheme. This was a very important commitment in the Programme for Government, which will help shape decision-making on how we support students over the years to come.

As part of the review of the Student Grant Scheme, the definition of “an approved” course within the current student grant scheme eligibility requirements is being examined.

I am currently awaiting the final report of the review of the Student Grant System. I understand that the work is at an advanced stage, and is at the point of finalisation by the consultants and the Steering Committee. My expectation is that I will receive the final report before Christmas. My intention is to submit the report to Government, and then to publish it.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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469. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a scheme for the expunging of criminal records for gay men convicted of historical offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58677/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, on 24 of June 2018, to mark the 25th Anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced the Government’s plan to bring forward proposals for a scheme to enable the disregarding of criminal records in qualifying offences where the acts involved would now be lawful.

To take forward this commitment, and following consultation with relevant stakeholders, it was decided that the Department of Justice would set up a small Working Group consisting of representatives from the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), the Office of the Attorney General and three individuals from the LGBTI+ community with expertise in this area. This Working Group was formally established in June 2021.

The Working Group provides a forum for structured engagement to examine issues relating to the disregarding of the relevant criminal records in qualifying offences and is tasked with the following:

1. The feasibility of identifying appropriate records which may support a decision to disregard a record of conviction for a consensual same-sex acts prior to decriminalisation in 1993.

2. To examine issues regarding criminal records relating to consensual same-sex relationships prior to decriminalisation in 1993.

3. To consider, define and determine the offences to be included or excluded and to agree standards to meet before the criminal convictions can be disregarded for qualifying offences.

4. To examine the need for and feasibility of establishing a scheme for disregarding qualifying offences relating to consensual acts between adult males.

5. To examine the possibility of putting in place a legislative scheme similar to that in place in England and Wales or any other relevant jurisdictions to address this issue.

6. To make any other recommendations.

Three meetings of the Working Group have been held to date since the formation of the Working Group in June 2021. The most recent meeting of the Working Group was on 25 November 2021. A progress report with interim recommendations is currently being prepared for submission by mid-December 2021.