Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014
241. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been a change in Government policy in respect of the treatment of self-employed workers' income with respect to third level grants, as per Student Universal Support Ireland's response, dated 15 January 2014, to an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3484/14]
View answerThe income thresholds for student grants were reduced by 3% for the 2013/14 academic year. There have been no change in relation to the treatment of self-employed income for student grant purposes under the Student Grant Scheme 2013. For the 2013/14 academic year, the reference period for reckonable income is from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2013 provides for the review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of changes of circumstances in the academic year, including a change in relation to reckonable income for the self-employed. In order for grant eligibility to be re-assessed under a change of circumstances, the awarding authority must be satisfied that the fall in income is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or the foreseeable future. The required documentary evidence for grant purposes to verify that the reduction in reckonable income for the self-employed is permanent in nature is evidence of cessation of trading, de-registration for VAT or documentary evidence confirming the person is now in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment. Fluctuations in income for the self-employed cannot be considered as a permanent change for grant purposes, since income may fluctuate from year to year due to the nature of self-employment. However, an applicant will be given the benefit of any reduction in income when he/she is re-assessed by the grant awarding authority the following academic year. I understand SUSI issued a letter to the applicant on 15th January, 2014 on foot of his appeal. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his or 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
