Student Grant Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Questions (520)

Sean Fleming

Question:

520. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the situation in relation to third level grants where a person on Pay As You Earn arrangements whose income changes during the course of the year, and where verification from the employer can be submitted so that an application for a third level grant can be examined in view of the new information, as against the situation where a self-employed person who has submitted accounts for a previous year whose current financial situation has deteriorated substantially and who wishes to submit more up-to-date financial information but who is not treated in a similar manner in having this new information taken into consideration in relation to a current grant application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40298/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

All applications for a maintenance grant are means tested based on the reckonable income for the previous tax year.

Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme allows for the review of eligibility during the academic year, if there is a permanent change in circumstance, relating to a number of events including a drop in reckonable income which is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future.

Any candidate, whether employed or self-employed, who experiences a reduction in reckonable income of a permanent nature, may apply to have their eligibility reviewed under the change in circumstances clause. Where a candidate can provide satisfactory documentation to confirm that the reduction in income is permanent, their grant eligibility would be based on their revised (i.e. current) income rather than on their income for the previous tax year. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one she/he may appeal, in the first instance to SUSI.

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 to the Independent Student Grants Appeals Board.