Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
692. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will urgently review the EU fees element of the SUSI process (details supplied); the reason this rule is applied differently in Ireland; and if he will ensure that his Department carries out a full review of the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41000/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn considering the matters raised it is important to distinguish between the fees policy of an individual Higher Education Institution and the eligibility criteria of the separate student grant scheme.
The higher education tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. Typically, there are two rates of fee, an EU Rate of Fee or a non-EU rate of tuition fee that a Higher Education Institution may apply. Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. This includes setting the criteria a person must meet to be regarded as an EU or a Non-EU tuition fee student.
The criteria may vary by institution, and I understand that an institution’s criteria will generally include specified Nationality and/or Residency requirements that students would be expected to meet to qualify for the institutions EU rate of fee. It is not open to my Department to intervene in the fee policies of these autonomous institutions.
In terms of the student grant scheme, as administered via SUSI, the position is that to avail of a grant a student must meet the scheme criteria including residency. To be eligible for a grant, a student must have been resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years before the start of their academic year. It is important to point out that a student who did not meet the residency requirement at the start of their studies may be in a position to meet it during the course of their studies and become eligible for a student grant for the following academic year, provided they meet all other criteria of the Student Grant Scheme.
However, the criteria of the student grant scheme is not the determining factor in a student availing of the EU or Non-Eu rate of fee and instead it is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with the criteria it has set.
