Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2006
504 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the same income limit of €35,000 applies for single persons and for couples who wish to return to higher education and receive a grant; her views on whether this anomaly is discriminatory; and if she has considered proposals to change this situation. [16403/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra515 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the threshold for education grants is set at €35,000 for single persons and also for married persons; if there are plans to change this anomaly, particularly where both married persons wish to return to full time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16506/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra523 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the bias against married couples in the higher education grants scheme whereby the income limits for a couple are the same as for a single person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16658/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 515 and 523 together.
For the purposes of determining grant eligibility under my Department's Maintenance Grants Schemes, reckonable income is defined for the purposes of the 2005 Scheme as all amounts received or receivable by an individual without reference to his/her residence or domicile, from both Irish and foreign sources, which are liable to Irish Income Tax, Irish Capital Gains Tax or Irish Capital Acquisitions Tax, or which would be so liable but for exemptions and reliefs contained in Irish legislation, and corresponding amounts received or receivable by individuals resident in another EU Member State which are liable to Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance or Gift Taxes of that State, or which would be so liable but for exemptions and reliefs contained in the legislation of that State.
The candidate's reckonable income for the purposes of the means test is his/her gross income from all sources and the gross income of his/her parents or guardians, where applicable, with certain specified Social Welfare and Health Board Payments being exempt. Grant assistance may not be awarded in any case where the reckonable income exceeds the prescribed income limits for the award of a grant.
In the case of an independent mature candidate, the candidate's reckonable income shall be that of the candidate and his/her spouse if applicable. The current income limits follow for the information of the Deputy. This arrangement has been in place for many years and there are no plans at present to change it.
|
Reckonable Income Limits for the ordinary rates of grant† (for the period 1st January, 2004 to 31st December 2004 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(the tax year 2004)) |
|||||
|
Number of Dependent Children |
Full Maintenance and Full Fees |
Part Maintenance (75%) and Full Fees |
Part Maintenance (50%) and Full Fees |
Part Maintenance (25%) and Full Fees |
Part Tuition Fees (50%) only* |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Less than 4 |
35,485 |
37,695 |
39,915 |
42,130 |
44,350 |
|
4-7 |
38,990 |
41,430 |
43,865 |
46,305 |
48,740 |
|
8 or more |
42,335 |
44,980 |
47,625 |
50,265 |
52,910 |
*Full Student Service Charge is paid where income is at or below this level.
†In the 2005/06 academic year where 2 or more children (or the candidate's parent) are pursuing a course of study listed below the reckonable income limits may be increased by €4,295 where there are 2 such children, €8,590 where there are 3 such children and so on, by increments of €4,295.
(i)attending full-time third level education
(ii)attending a recognised PLC course, student nurse training or student Garda training
(iii)participating in a Fáilte Ireland (formerly CERT) course of at least one year's duration
(iv)attending a full time Teagasc course in an agricultural college
(v)attending a recognised full-time further education course, of at least one year's duration, in Northern Ireland.
