Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012
85. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that will be affected by the 3% reduction in the income threshold for student maintenance grants in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55872/12]
View answer86. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the 3% reduction in the qualifying income threshold for grants will affect students currently in the system or only those entering the system next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55873/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
As announced in the Budget, the income thresholds for student grants will be reduced by 3% for the 2013/14 academic year. Between 1997 and 2009, the income limits were increased by 82%. The income limits have remained unchanged over the past three years due to the absence of data from the CSO, but data now indicates that average wages have fallen by 7.9% during that time.The changes to the income thresholds will apply to all students, not just new entrants and existing students will have to be re-assessed. Some 6,400 (8%) of the total estimated 80,000 grant recipients are expected to be affected by this change, and 220 of these, on the lowest level of grant support - 50% Student Contribution only, will lose their current entitlement altogether.This change will not affect Special Rate students, who are the most vulnerable category of students in receipt of grant support.
