Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016

Tuesday, 6 December 2016

Questions (160)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

160. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider revising the residency rules governing eligibility for the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant which prevents Irish citizens returning from non-EU countries from receiving the grant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this rule is preventing persons from taking up college places due to hardship issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38528/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

To be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the 5 year period ending on the day before the start of their approved course of study.

This requirement takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the State for more than two of the previous five years. It is also possible for a student, who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.

Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency requirements apply in other EU Member States. For example, in the UK a student must be resident for the three years prior to commencing his/her studies.