Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
83. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what engagement he has had with other Ministers and Departments concerning the rising cost of living for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40750/23]
View answerI engage regularly with my Government colleagues on how the rising cost of living is impacting students, and I have ensured that measures to support students have formed a core part of the Government's overall response to cost of living issues. This includes close engagement with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
My Department works to ensure that our policy and funding responses are coherent with overall cross-Government initiatives. The National Access Plan Steering Group which meets on a quarterly basis brings a specific focus on measures required to improve access to higher education for students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, students with a disability and students from the Traveller & Roma communities. This group includes participants from the Departments of Education, Justice, Rural and Community Development, Health, Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Social Protection
I recently published my Department’s second annual options paper on the cost of higher education. An in-person Stakeholder Event was organised and strongly attended and I also separately met with Student Union representatives on these issues. To provide context and clarity to the options paper, my Department engaged with a number of other Departments including the Departments of Justice, Finance, Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners.
My Department also engages on an ongoing basis with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on student accommodation issues, within the context of Housing for All.
The Government remains committed to reducing the cost of college for families. As part of the forthcoming Budgetary process, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society.
