Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2022
154. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that monies earned by third-level students from the summer work is included in the means for the SUSI grant; if student earnings will be excluded for same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26896/22]
View answerThe assessment of means under the student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt. Student grant applications for academic year 2022/23 will be assessed based on income earned in 2021.
However, under Article 22(5)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022, income from an applicant’s employment which represents "holiday earnings" outside of term time but within the reference period, subject to a maximum of €4,500 can be deducted from the total reckonable income assessed. (This relates to the student's earnings from employment outside of term time i.e. the holiday periods of Christmas, Easter and the summer months).
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual Budget. Any proposal to further increase the holiday earnings threshold must be considered in the context of not adversely impacting upon retention rates/the student’s ability to primarily focus on successfully completing his/her studies.
As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme for implementation in 2022.
For the academic year 2022/23 this will mean:-
- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant.
- The income thresholds to qualify for the standard rates of student grant have been increased by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students building on the improvements that have already been made for postgraduate students through this year’s student grant scheme. These improvements to the student grant scheme have been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment.
