Student Grant Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2016

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Ceisteanna (158)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

158. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional financial cost of including a new 100% non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant, 45 km or over, payment rate of €4,500 for students whose assessed family income is less than €30,000 per annum under the third level student grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2515/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Based on the 2014/15 academic year – SUSI paid the non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant to 8,392 students where the reckonable income was below €30,000, and where the students did not qualify for the Special rate of maintenance grant. These students would have received a grant of €3,025. The additional cost of increasing this figure to €4,500 would be circa €12.5 million.