Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2023
229. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason parents of Irish citizens are excluded from the SUSI grant scheme on the basis of their civil status and where the State has granted them a stamp 4 visa. [29917/23]
View answerThe nationality requirements for the Student Grant Scheme are set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2023. The candidate's nationality or immigration status in the State determines whether or not they meet the nationality requirement outlined in the Act and Regulations, and would be therefore eligible to qualify for a student grant.
Permission to remain in the State on the basis of a Stamp 4 Visa, of itself, does not meet the nationality requirements of the Student Grant Scheme 2023.
There is provision for a review of eligibility where a person’s circumstances changes in the academic year. This includes a change in relation to a student's nationality or immigration status. Where a student acquires Irish citizenship by naturalisation, or is granted one of the permission to remain criterion provided for in the Act or Regulations during the course of their studies, they may apply to SUSI to have their application re-assessed.
