Student Grant Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2016

Thursday, 14 July 2016

Questions (70, 72)

Alan Farrell

Question:

70. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills his position regarding the requirement for those who are self-employed, or a dependant, to provide information on their tax returns for the current year when applying for a student universal support Ireland, SUSI grant, given the deadline for the submission of tax returns to the Revenue Commissioners is not until October of the following year; the action he will take to address this issue which affects self-employed and dependants who wish to further their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/16]

Alan Farrell

Question:

72. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in relation to student universal support Ireland, SUSI grant applications, he will engage with the Revenue Commissioners to address the situation whereby a self-employed person, or their dependant, is required to submit tax return information for the current year as part of the application, given the closing date for tax returns is not until October; his views on whether it is appropriate to modify the requirements to allow for the submission of tax return information, as submitted to the Revenue Commissioners in the year previous, to fulfil the requirements of the SUSI grant application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21708/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 72 together.

All applications for a maintenance grant are means tested based on the reckonable income for the previous tax year. This is to ensure that the awarding authority can make informed decisions based on the most recent available financial information. It also ensures consistency of decision making as each applicant is required to submit the same information.

An applicant is only requested to provide information of their current year's income if they apply to be re-assessed under the 'changes of circumstances' provision of the Student Grant Scheme. Where a candidate can provide satisfactory documentary evidence to the awarding authority to prove that they have experienced a permanent reduction in income, then their grant eligibility can be reviewed based on their current income as opposed to the previous year's income.

In all other instances, applications under the student grant scheme are based on the income of the previous tax year.