Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2006

Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Questions (452)

Michael Ring

Question:

471 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if income from a VTOS course is fully assessable as reckonable income for third level grant purposes in view of the fact that it is not taxable income and would not appear on a P21 and assessing this income is effectively punishing the student for their parent’s return to education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42423/06]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The assessment of means under my Department's Third Level Student Maintenance Grant Schemes is based on gross income from all sources, with specified social welfare and health service executive payments being excluded from the calculation. Income in respect of a VTOS course is assessable.

I have no plans at present to depart from the above practice in respect of the determination of income.