Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
133. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider a graduated special rate for SUSI grant applicants who have at least 365 days continuous Department of Social Protection payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26934/21]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. In assessing an application for the 2021/22 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant:
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 €24,500;
3. As at 31st of December 2020, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Student Grant Scheme 2021.
The SUSI scheme is closely aligned with the criteria set by the Department of Social Protection for its schemes. In general terms, Jobseeker’s Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance are considered to be short-term payments unless they are held for 391 consecutive days. The 391 days is the time period determined by DEASP for a social welfare payment to be regarded as long term, and refers to social welfare days as opposed to calendar days.
The Student Grant Scheme makes provision for combining periods of Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit and other eligible payments for the purposes of meeting 391 days as determined by the Department of Social Protection.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme. It anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.
