Higher Education Grants

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Questions (118)

Simon Harris

Question:

118 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the expenses payable to members of the Garda Reserve are taken into account by local authorities and vocational education committee when deciding if a person applying for third level support grants meets the relevant income criteria or if Garda Reserve expenses are exempted from consideration in view of the fact that they cover only expenses incurred by reserve members and do not constitute additional income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14999/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

The Deputy will appreciate that the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.

However, I am informed that payments made in respect of the Garda Reserve Allowance are taxable and are therefore included in the assessment of income for student grant purposes. The assessment of means under my Department's Student Grants Scheme is based on gross income from all sources.