Written answers

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Fees

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his response to the recent protests by organisations (details supplied) to the rates of fees in third level institutions. [58609/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have engaged closely with student representatives on issues concerning the costs of higher education for students.

It is important to be aware of the support available for students including state funding of the registration fee for an estimated 45% of eligible free fees students. In fact my Department will spend over €400 million on student supports in 2021 including the Student Grant scheme which assists over 74,000 students annually to access third level education.

I am deeply aware of the strain that the rising cost of living and the continuing pandemic has placed on our students. I have prioritised addressing the concerns of students in the budgetary and policy decisions which I have taken. In doing so, I decided to concentrate on the most impactful measures which will benefit the greatest numbers of people and those most in need of support.

In Budget 2022 I made the first changes to SUSI grant rates and eligibility thresholds in a decade. An additional €200 in the rate will benefit all students in receipt of a SUSI maintenance payment. The change in the thresholds of €1,000 and adjacency rates will widen eligibility and provide higher rates of grant to many already in the scheme. As a full year cost this package of funding will provide an additional €60m for SUSI supports.

In recognition of the particular impacts on students in financial difficulty, I have also directed additional €22m in Covid specific funding to students through the Student Assistance Fund and priority groups in the new National Access Plan. Significant additional support has also been provided for student mental health (€8m over two years).

As committed to in the Programme for Government, I will shortly be bringing the Report on Future Sustainability of further and higher education including an assessment of the future funding model for higher education to Government. This report also identifies the need for additional student supports which is being further investigated through the SUSI Review, currently being finalised. This review is examining the eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports for students and the first step in addressing these. The review included extensive consultations with all key stakeholders including USI and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The findings will inform policy priorities and future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.

Finally, a word on student accommodation which I know can be a significant cost for students. We are addressing affordability issues through measures such as:

- Capping student Accommodation under the Rent Pressure Zones.

- For tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 restricts the total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent.

- Limiting termination notice periods in respect of student-specific accommodation, so that no more than 28 days’ notice is required to be given by students.

I am working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider how new models for affordable purpose-built student accommodation could be developed. Affordability will be a key priority.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.