Carol Nolan Advocates Reinstating Disadvantaged Education Committee

Carol Nolan asked the minister to reinstate the Disadvantaged Education Committee and to raise the earnings threshold for SUSI grants for part-time students. She argued the recent Higher Education Authority report shows students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to progress to third level or apprenticeships and urged concrete measures.

Reinstatement request

She told the minister that reinstating the Disadvantaged Education Committee would be a cost-effective way to address educational disadvantage and said the committee did fantastic work when it was first established. Nolan noted she introduced a bill on the issue a few years ago and asked that reinstatement be reconsidered.

Evidence and rationale

Nolan cited the Higher Education Authority report as evidence that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to progress to third level or to apprenticeships. She argued specific measures are needed to improve progression and that a dedicated committee could help shape those measures.

SUSI grants concern

Nolan raised concerns about SUSI eligibility rules for students in part-time work, noting that students can only earn four and a half thousand euro which creates a disincentive to work. She asked the minister to consider raising that amount as part of the upcoming review of SUSI grants.

Minister's response

The minister said he would give consideration to re-establishing the Disadvantaged Education Committee and invited Nolan to write to him with further details. He said there is now a ring-fenced fund for mitigating educational disadvantage and stressed the need to make that funding a regular part of the landscape.

Review and next steps

On SUSI, the minister confirmed a review is underway, a steering group has been set up, and a consultation will open on Friday. He welcomed Nolan's submission and offered to engage further as the consultation and consideration of the committee reinstatement proceed.