Higher Education Grants

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Questions (167)

Willie Penrose

Question:

206 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the context in which a person has rental income from property that is let, but has significant interest associated with the said property, which consumes all of the rental income available and more, the person is entitled to have the said interest associated with the said rental income calculated in the assessment of eligibility for higher education grant purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4966/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.

Reckonable income for student grants purposes is gross income from all sources. Therefore, the assessing authorities use the profit or loss as shown by the statement of rental income and no allowance is made for the interest associated with rental income. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a grant. However, an applicant may appeal the decision of the grant awarding authority to its appeals officer. Where the appeals officer decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or the independent appeals board, as appropriate.