Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
38. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his priorities for further SUSI reform in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2024, the following long term measures will commence in September 2024:-
• The income threshold for the Band 4 Maintenance Grant is increasing from €46,790 to €50,840
• The income threshold for the 100% Student Contribution Grant is increasing from €50,840 to €55,924
• The income disregard for holiday earnings (earnings outside of term-time) will increase further from €6552 to €7925 in line with the increase in the minimum wage.
• Eligible students from September will also avail of the full increase to Maintenance Grants (€615 for non-adjacent rates and 10% for adjacent rates) and the full restoration of Maintenance Grants to Postgraduate students which commenced on a pro-rata basis last January.
The threshold for the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant is also increasing in September from €25,000 to €26,200.
In advance of Budget 2025 this autumn, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to address the cost of education. I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports. I will have regard to these options, including any options on increasing income thresholds and grant rates, when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.
