Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
359. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he proposes to resolve the current situation of homeless students estranged from their family and refused the special rate of maintenance grant despite being below the threshold, such as a person (details supplied) who is currently in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41130/16]
View answerThe student referred to by the Deputy stated in her application to SUSI that she was irreconcilably estranged from her parents. This was established to the satisfaction of SUSI in accordance with Article 21 (3)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2016. Therefore, the income of her parents was not taken into account.
In assessing an application for the 2016/17 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant as set out in the Student Grant Scheme 2016:
1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €22,703;
3. As at 31st of December 2015, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
There is no discretion to deviate from these particular provisions of the Student Grant Scheme and governing legislation.
However, 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 by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
The current system of student supports is underpinned by the Student Support Act, 2011. It is my intention to initiate a review of this legislation later this year to identify areas where the Act needs to be updated to reflect the changes that have taken place in Irish society in 2011 and also to ensure that our system of student supports is targeted effectively at those most in need. All relevant issues will be considered as part of this review.
