The number of third level students in Clare availing of the SUSI grant has fallen by ten percent from its highest point.
2,233 students from this county are receiving support from the body in the current academic year.
The academic year of 2012/13 was the first year of the implementation of the SUSI scheme – back then, 1,172 students in the Banner were aided by some form of grant.
That number has almost doubled in this county in the nine years since, with those availing of assistance from the body peaking at 2,520 in the 2015/16 academic year.
However, it’s fallen slightly in the years since then, which is not the case in all counties.
The figures have emerged as Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has told the Dail he accepts the current SUSI system is ‘rigid’ and that he’s received a review of the system from officials.
It’s expected that will be brought to Government in the coming weeks, with reforms to be proposed thereafter.
Nationally, more than 76,000 students availed of some form of SUSI grant for the current academic year.
