Student Grant Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Questions (1271)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

1271. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for including rental accommodation scheme and rent supplement payments as means for the purposes of assessing eligibility for Student Universal Support Ireland grants. [31277/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period, with certain specified social welfare and Health Service Executive payments excluded. The Student Grant Scheme 2015 was published in April 2015. The 2015 Scheme includes a number of new income disregards such as Rent Supplement payments. The Rental Accommodation Scheme is not listed as an income disregard in the 2015 scheme.