Ruth Coppinger
Question:127. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will increase the income threshold for eligibility for the SUSI grant. [30599/17]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2017
Questions (127)
Written answers
The 2017 scheme and regulations were published in late March. The 2017 scheme includes an amendment to the income threshold for the special rate of grant which has increased from €22,703 to €23,000. This change reflects the recent budget increases to the Old Age Contributory Pension and ensures that qualifying families dependent on welfare, will continue to qualify for the highest grant support possible.
The Student Grant Scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children. In 2017, the highest income threshold for a family of less than 4 dependent children, is €54,240. In addition to this and in recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may be increased by a further €4,980 for each additional family member attending college at the same time.
The income thresholds and rates of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget process. No changes to the rates or thresholds were included in Budget 2017. However, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, provision was made to reintroduce maintenance grants for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students.
I am also reintroducing, from September 2017, the maintenance grant for postgraduate students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant.
The highest income threshold, for a family of less than 4 dependent children, is €54,240. This will qualify a student for 50% of the student contribution. The highest level of maintenance grant is €5,915 (non-adjacent special rate of maintenance grant).
The 2017 Student Grant Scheme was published recently. Details of the thresholds can be accessed via the following link: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/125/made/en/pdf.