James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of SUSI grants appeals; the number of appeals which are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59868/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The decision on whether or not a student is eligible for a student grant is a matter for SUSI, the centralised student grant awarding authority, to determine.

If a student considers that they have been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the right one, they may appeal to SUSI in the first instance.

As of 20 November 2022, SUSI had received 4,879 appeals for the 2022/23 academic year. Of those, 4,374 have been decided and 505 are still in progress. Of the 4,374 which have been decided, the original decision was affirmed in 2,516 cases. The decision was set aside or varied in 1,816 cases where there was a change of circumstances or new information was provided. In 42 cases, the decision was set aside or varied for other reasons.

Where a student has had an appeal turned down by SUSI and is still of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in their case, they can submit an appeal to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. This has to be done no later than 30 days after the student is notified of the decision of the appeals officer. Such appeals can be made online via the website (which is at studentgrantappeals.ie).

The Student Grants Appeals Board has 60 days within which to make a determination on an appeal. An applicant is informed by email of the Appeals Board's decision.

The number of appeals heard by the Student Grant Appeals Board in the calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022 were:

- 769 in 2020

- 723 in 2021

- 524 up to 22nd November 2022.

There are currently 108 appeals still in progress.

Provision is also made in the Student Support Act 2011 for a person to appeal the decision of the Appeals Board to the High Court on a specified point of law.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a report has been done on the number of students not taking up college places due to the cost-of-living and housing crises; and the support that can be given to students who find themselves in this position. [59816/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key priority for my Department has been to ensure third level education is accessible for everyone. While data is not available on students who do not take up courses, I absolutely recognise that cost has the potential to be a barrier to entry and participation.

That is why, as part of the Government's overall response to cost-of-living pressures, I announced a wide-ranging package of financial measures in Budget 2023 to quickly respond to the financial challenges currently being experienced by students and their families.

These measures include:

- a reduction in the student contribution rate of €1,000 for this academic year;

- an additional maintenance grant payment which is being paid out to students before Christmas;

- an increase of between 10 and 14% in SUSI maintenance grant rates that will come into effect from next January;

- continued support for the Student Assistance Fund, with over €17 million allocated for this academic year.

- PhD students funded by the SFI and the IRC will also benefit from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year, with an ongoing increase of €500 in such stipends thereafter.

- post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from SUSI will benefit from a once off increase in their grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.

I have also made a number of changes for the next academic year to address ongoing costs of education including:

- increasing the income threshold for the student contribution 50% grant to €62,000

- introducing a reduction of €500 in the student contribution for eligible SUSI grant applicants earning between €62,000 and €100,000

- putting in place a permanent increase in the support for Post Graduate fees under SUSI by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000

I have also introduced a new Cost of Education options paper, which was published for the first time this year, which will allow further options to support students and families to be identified during the course of 2023 in advance of Estimates decisions later in the year.