Written Answers Nos. 269-271
269. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding that will be needed for the 2026 academic year in order to allow for an increase SUSI by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38265/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very much aware that the rising cost of living continues to impact students and their families. This Government is committed to reducing the cost of college for families and we have already made significant strides in that regard.
From September 2025, all income thresholds under the Student Grant Scheme will increase. The income threshold for the special rate of maintenance is increasing in line with Social Welfare increases and all other income thresholds are increasing by at least 15%.
Following these recent revisions, the income threshold to receive a Student Contribution grant now stands at €115,000 which is the highest it has ever been. This means that undergraduate students who were not eligible previously may now qualify for a Student Contribution Grant.
The Student Grant Scheme is a demand led scheme and costings each year are variable based on the number of successful applicants. Utilising paid student numbers for the 24/25 academic year it would be estimated that the full year cost for the 2026/27 academic year to increase all maintenance grant rates by 20% would be c. €40m, and the cost to increase all standard rate and fee income thresholds by 20% would be c. €44m. However, estimates are likely to change once data for paid applicants for 25/26 becomes available.
To support decision-making, ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education.
The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason the funding for the Pacáiste Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh initiative cancelled for families living outside of the Gaeltacht (details supplied); and if the Minister will reverse this decision. [38176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pacáiste Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh is a language pack provided free of charge to families who currently raise their children through Irish or who wish to do so.
Historically my Department distributed the packs directly to families who requested it. This initiative was then transferred to the organisation Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta in 2019.
Following sanction of most recent 3 year agreement with Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta it was decided that the organisation would focus on, and tailor their packages to, families living within the Gaeltacht as they provide support, assistance, and advice to families who are raising their children through Irish in the Gaeltacht, or wish to do so.
I would like to clarify that the Pacáiste Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh initiative has not been cancelled for families living outside of the Gaeltacht. The Department has been in talks with Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta and other Irish Language organisations in order to provide the package to families outside of the Gaeltacht.
271. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the progress made on implementing the "Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy" to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024, which was extended into 2025; the actions outstanding; and his plans for a new strategy for the community and voluntary sector. [38309/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, was published in 2019. This is a whole of government strategy led by my Department, which is implemented collaboratively with the sector through the Cross Sector Group (CSG) on Local and Community Development.
The CSG also sets priorities in agreeing annual work plans under the Strategy. It was agreed by the CSG in 2024 to continue with the implementation of the existing Strategy into 2025. The agreed work plan for 2025 is being overseen by my Department.
In the five years since the strategy was adopted, notable outcomes include:
• the agreement and adoption by Government of the Values and Principles for collaboration and partnership with the Community and Voluntary Sector;
• the enactment of the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024 which will strengthen the charities sector, by ensuring greater transparency, clarity and fairness, serving to enhance public confidence in the sector; and,
• the hosting of the annual National Civic Forum, which co-created a roadmap for how to better advance participatory and deliberative approaches to public policy-making in Ireland.
While there remains some work to be concluded on actions such as capacity building for charities and community groups, the commissioning of services model, and the implementation of the PPN Roadmap, these are continuing to be progressed on an ongoing basis.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, last week, I launched an online stakeholder consultation on the development of a new strategy to support the community and voluntary sector. The consultation, which is open until Friday, August 15, will give organisations across the community and voluntary sector an opportunity to contribute to the new strategy. Details of the consultation can be found on my department’s website at the following link gov.ie stakeholder consultation - new strategy to support the community and voluntary sector.
The process will also include an in-person consultation event which will be held in Tullamore on Wednesday, July 23. I look forward to hearing the views of sectoral stakeholders on that day.
The new strategy, which will cater for the period 2026 - 2030, will build up upon the existing structures, strategic objectives and achievements of the previous strategy, while taking account of new contexts, challenges and priorities for the community and voluntary sector. It will also further strengthen the relationship and partnership between Government and the community and voluntary sector, which has significantly developed over the last number of years.
