Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
1702. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) is getting the maximum grant; if not, the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14940/24]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years as specified under the Student Grant Scheme 2023 and 2024 and are as follows:
1. Students must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income (net of income disregards and Increase for Qualified Child) must not exceed €25,000 (2023/24) and €26,200 (2024/25), and
3. As at 31st December, 2022 and 2023 respectively, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student to whom the Deputy refers was awarded the Full Non-Adjacent Standard Rate Band 1 of Maintenance Grant, together with 100% Student Contribution/Tuition Fees, by the awarding authority (SUSI) in both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years.
As there was no income from an eligible payment on 31st December 2022 or 2023 respectively, the applicant was not eligible for the Special Rate of maintenance grant under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme 2023 and 2024.
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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level 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.
