Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide updated details on his Department’s work to identify the prevalence and type of drug use among the third-level student population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25080/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of how drug use can hinder the progression and participation of students in tertiary education.

The National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy (2017-2025) represents a framework for dealing with the issues of Drug and Alcohol use in Ireland. In introducing the strategy, the Taoiseach noted that Ireland has a problem with substance misuse. Rates of drug use in Ireland have risen significantly over the last decade with the greatest increase seen among young people. ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’ is a whole of government approach that emphasises a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.

The strategy highlights the need to reduce the harms associated with substance use along with combating underlying reasons for the demand for drugs. I am engaging with the Stakeholders in order to identify areas that can address the issue of drug misuse on Campus.

In July 2021 I co-launched Healthy Campus Ireland with the Minister for Health, which aims to embed health and wellbeing into decisions around teaching and learning. This takes a positive and proactive approach to all aspects of campus life including mental health, wellbeing and drug use.

An important resource in identifying drug misuse, which I launched in January was the first national survey report on drug use in third level institutions undertaken by UCC. This data is vital to map the extent of the issue and will help us to develop appropriate responses and monitor trends in drug use in higher education over the coming years.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Addressing costs as a barrier to education for students and their families is a major priority for me. That is why I commissioned the review of the Student Grant Scheme, which was published on 4 May.

The review involved wide stakeholder engagement, an extensive consultation with students and research into the costs of higher education.

The review identifies a number of issues, including:

- the rising costs affecting students over the past decade,

- the fact that the income thresholds for eligibility in the scheme have not kept pace with the rise of earnings over the same period,

- particular costs for those who travel long distances to their place of education and the costs associated with postgraduate study.

I have already taken a number of steps to alleviate financial pressures, which help to tackle issues raised in the Student Grant Review. These include:

- Increasing the grant payment for all those in receipt of a maintenance grant by €200;

- Increasing the qualifying thresholds by €1,000 to bring more people into the grant scheme;

- Changing the qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of grant to help students who live further away from college;

- Increasing the postgraduate fee grant from €2,000 to €3,500 and increasing the postgraduate fee grant income threshold.

I have committed to publishing an annual costs of education paper, which will set out the range of options to address costs, including changes to the Student Grant Scheme and student contributions. This will seek to inform decision-making at Budget time regarding the measures which can be taken to continue to support students and their families.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, 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.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed 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, www.revenue.ie.