Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
187 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he intends to deal with those persons who deliberately and fraudulently under-report assets and income in order to avail of free third level fees and maintenance grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13714/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the passage of the Student Support Act in 2011, specific offences and penalties were introduced relating to the provision of false or misleading information in the context of a student grant application. Under Section 23 of the Act, a person who furnishes information to an awarding authority which is false or misleading or who is reckless as to whether it is so is guilty of an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €5,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both, or on conviction on indictment for a fine of up to €5,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years or both. Such persons will also be ineligible to apply for a grant for a period of 10 years following conviction under the Act. The assessment of means for grants purposes is based on gross income — the value of assets is not currently taken into account. Awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof under all aspects of the scheme, including reckonable income, has been submitted by the grant applicant. The Free Fees Initiative is not a means-tested scheme.
