Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Questions (262)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

262. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the means assessment used by Student Universal Support Ireland for self-employed persons; the reason net income is not the basis of the eligibility decision; the reason no deduction for interest on borrowings which fund the fixed assets of a business is allowed for in means assessment; the action that can be taken to assist persons (details supplied) who have been denied a grant from SUSI on the ground of their parents’ means, despite their parents being granted financial assistance by the Department of Social Protection due to their limited income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2805/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the students referred to by the Deputy have been refused a grant on the grounds that reckonable income was over the limit.

Grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period.

The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.

In accordance with Article 23 of the Student Grant Scheme no allowance is made for any deduction for capital expenditure, regardless of how it is treated for income tax purposes.

I understand that the applicant appealed the original decision to the SUSI appeals officer who turned down the appeal.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf.