Written Answers Nos. 340-359
342. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects his economic projections to remain on target throughout the course of 2017; if any particular issues have emerged or are likely to emerge in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1964/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent economic forecast prepared by my Department was published as part of Budget 2017, which projected real GDP growth of 3.5 per cent in 2017.
Domestic demand is set to drive growth once again this year with positive contributions expected from both consumption and investment spending.
The recent dataflow has been encouraging showing that the strong momentum has continued:
- The economy expanded by 6.9 per cent year-on-year and by 4.7 per cent on average in the first three quarters of 2016.
- Exports are holding up well despite the weakness in sterling. In particular, service exports have been very strong recording double-digit growth in the third quarter year-on-year.
- The volume of retail sales increased by 4.3 per cent year-on-year in November 2016. Core sales (excluding motor trades) were up by 4.9 per cent over the same period.
- New cars licensed for the first time were up 17.8 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015.
- Expansion in the construction sector continued in November with the Purchasing Managers' Index for the sector recording its thirty-ninth successive month of expansion.
On the basis of this data, the economy remains on course to grow by 3.5 per cent this year.
Updated macroeconomic forecasts will be published by my Department, as part of the Stability and Programme Update, in April this year.
344. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which each of the main banks have facilitated the borrowing requirements of the construction sector in the past 12 months; if each is performing adequately in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1966/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, small and medium sized businesses, including those in the construction sector, play a central role in the sustainable recovery of the Irish economy. Government policy is focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources.
The Deputy will also be aware that in my role as Minister for Finance I have no direct function in the relationship between the banks and their customers. I have no statutory function in relation to the banking decisions made by individual lending institutions at any particular time and these are taken by the board and management of the relevant institution. This includes decisions in relation to products as determined by the banks.
All viable businesses operating in Ireland should have the opportunity to access sufficient finance to meet their enterprise needs in a manner that supports growth and employment in the economy. As the Deputy will be aware, Chapter 7 (Finance for Growth) of the Action Plan for Jobs 2016 (APJ) set out a range of commitments to ensure viable SME's can access appropriate finance at a reasonable cost from both bank and non-bank sources. Finance for Growth will again feature in the Action Plan for Jobs 2017 and a number of actions have been proposed by my Department for inclusion in relation to this.
In line with Action 144 of the APJ 2016, officials from my Department collated and examined data from AIB and Bank of Ireland on a monthly basis, including data pertaining to the various sectors. Furthermore, my officials meet the banks on a quarterly basis to ensure an informed understanding of the wider SME bank lending environment which assists the development and implementation of policies aimed at ensuring SME access to finance and increased competition in the SME lending sector.
Regarding the borrowing requirements of the construction sector, data published by the Central Bank of Ireland shows that new lending to the construction sector for Q1 to Q3 2016 totalled €95 million a growth of €16 million when compared to the same period in 2015. This data can be found in Table A.14.1 Credit Advanced to Irish Resident Small and Medium Sized Enterprises published on the Central Bank's website.
It should also be noted that the results of the most recent Department of Finance SME Credit Demand Survey, covering the period April to September 2016, show that when pending applications are excluded, 84% of credit applications to banks were approved or partially approved. Demand for credit remains subdued and the latest survey shows only 39% of SMEs in the construction sector requested bank finance in the previous six months a decrease of 9% from September 2015. Furthermore the main reason for not applying for bank finance is that SMEs do not need it or already have it in place (86%). Further results from the survey can be found at www.finance.gov.ie.
The Government remains committed to the SME sector, as reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, and sees it as a key engine of ongoing economic growth. Consequently, my Department and the Credit Review Office, working with the other relevant Departments and Agencies, will continue to monitor the availability of both bank and non-bank credit on both a macro and sectoral basis in order to ensure that sufficient access to finance is available to facilitate indigenous viable SMEs, including those in the construction sector, to reach their full potential in terms of growth and employment generation.
345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the success to date for the various incentives introduced to encourage house building and home ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1967/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I want to stress that my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has primary responsibility for the housing market. Having said that, developments in the housing market can have an impact on the wider economy so it is in all of our interests that equilibrium is restored to the market.
A key priority for this Government is to tackle the barriers impeding the development of a fully functioning housing market where supply responds to demand in a sustainable manner. In this regard, my Department and I have actively engaged with, and contributed to, the formulation of the Government's policy response as set out in the Action Plan for Housing, Rebuilding Ireland.
To complement the Action Plan, Budget 2017 contained a number of additional measures to support house building and homeownership including, for example, the introduction of the Help-to-Buy initiative, the amendments to the Living City Initiative and the extension of mortgage interest relief. The Help-to-Buy initiative should help alleviate some of the specific challenges faced by first-time buyers in accessing the housing market, while improvements in the Living City Initiative aim to promote rental supply in the designated urban areas.
It is too early to assess the impact of these recently adopted measures on the housing market. My Department intends to commission an independent impact assessment of the Help-to-Buy initiative to determine its general impact. This report will be completed by September 2017, prior to Budget 2018.
On the development finance side, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and the wider National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) is examining the feasibility of a new funding vehicle, in conjunction with the private sector, that would be capable of funding the delivery of new mixed-tenure residential developments, and that is both off-balance sheet and commercially viable. Such a fund has the potential to provide in the order of 5,000 additional units over a five-year period for social housing. In addition, ISIF will support the delivery of housing-related enabling infrastructure in large scale priority development areas through the provision of upfront capital to developers with repayments made either as sites or completed housing units are sold.
346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which an assessment has been completed to clarify whether inflationary tendencies and speculatory practice in the building sector during the economic boom continue to impact on the provision of a comprehensive housing programme in the current climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1968/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs developments in the housing market can have a significant impact on the economy as a whole, my Department monitors developments on an ongoing basis including as regards house price developments.
From their peak in 2007, house prices contracted by 43.3 per cent before reaching a trough in 2013. The subsequent recovery in the economy and the sustained period of employment growth has underpinned the recovery in housing demand. From the trough, house prices have increased by 48 per cent but remain 32 per cent lower than their previous peak in 2007.
The underlying factors driving house prices now are fundamentally different to those that prevailed in the period leading up to the peak. The current pressures in the housing market reflect an as yet insufficient supply response to meet current demographic demands for housing, leading to house price inflation. The Rebuilding Ireland, Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness contains a range of actionable measures to address the structural constraints within the housing market which are affecting supply. These actions aim to streamline the planning system, remove infrastructure blockages and support the delivery of affordable housing, thereby helping to improve the viability of construction in urban areas where supply is particularly constrained.
Mortgage lending, which helped fuel the speculative behaviour in the housing market prior to the financial crisis, remains low relative to analysts' estimates of the medium term sustainable level of mortgage lending. The Central Bank's macro-prudential regulations aim to curb unsustainable lending practises by regulating the loan-to-income (LTI) and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. The Central Bank has recently completed the first review of the macro-prudential regulations and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the regulation on an ongoing basis, taking into account changing economic circumstances.
347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that first-time home buyers are not priced out of the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1969/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, overall responsibility for housing policy rests in the first instance with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. The Government, however, is aware of the significant issues facing the housing market and it is committed to restoring the housing market to a sustainable equilibrium by seeking to increase the supply of housing to meet growing demand. In particular, it has set a target of ensuring that 25,000 new houses are built each year by 2020. In order to deliver on this ambitious target, the "Rebuilding Ireland, Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness" adopts a whole of government response with 84 actionable measures across five key pillars, namely Address Homelessness, Accelerate Social Housing, Build More Homes, Improve the Rental Sector, and Utilise Existing Housing. The measures set out in the Action Plan should help to stimulate supply by streamlining the planning system, removing infrastructure blockages and supporting the delivery of affordable housing.
There have also been certain initiatives in relation to taxation policy and financial macro prudential policy which will assist this overall effort. For example, the Help-to-Buy initiative should help alleviate some of the specific challenges faced by first time buyers in accessing the housing market. The Help-to-Buy initiative has been designed within the context of Rebuilding Ireland to provide immediate and targeted support for first time buyers in meeting their deposit requirements and encouraging the construction of new housing units whilst the structural measures announced in the Action Plan are being rolled out. My Department will also commission an independent impact assessment of the Help-to-Buy initiative to determine its general impact. This report will be completed by September 2017, prior to Budget 2018. Also, the recent Central Bank residential mortgage lending macro prudential changes will assist households, in particular first time buyers, which are seeking a mortgage to purchase a home. In general, first time buyers will now require a minimum deposit of 10 per cent of the entire value of the property, with the loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling set at 90 per cent. This replaces the previous situation whereby a deposit of 10 per cent was required on the first €220,000 of the price of a property and 20 per cent on any balance above €220,000.
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to lifting restrictions on retirement pension funds currently restricted unless the pensioner has access to a separate pension of €12,700 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1977/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBefore Finance Act 1999 people with defined contribution pension savings had no option but to buy a pension income (called an annuity) with their savings after taking the allowable tax-free retirement lump sum. Changes since then have given people more choices for what to do with their pension savings. This is called the flexible options at retirement regime. These choices include taking a cash payment, subject to income tax, investing in an approved retirement fund (ARF) or investing in an approved minimum retirement fund (AMRF).
Until he or she is 75, a person can only take the whole amount of their savings as cash or put it in an ARF if he or she has a guaranteed pension income of €12,700 or more. If these conditions are not met then he or she can buy an annuity or put a certain amount of the funds, called the "set aside" amount into an AMRF. The maximum "set-aside" is €63,500 or the remaining value of the pension funds, after taking the tax-free retirement lump sum, if less than €63,500.
The funds in an AMRF can be used at any time, in full or in part, to buy an annuity. This includes the option to buy an annuity which is large enough to give the owner a guaranteed income of more than €12,700. If the owner does this he or she will then have access to the rest of the funds, as their AMRF then converts into an ARF with discretionary access to the funds, subject to tax at their marginal rate.
The purpose of the AMRF is to ensure that a person without the minimum guaranteed pension income for life has a pension "safety net" to provide for the latter years of his or her retirement. However, every year to age 75, the owner of an AMRF can access 4% of the funds in the AMRF.
If an individual meets the requirements to be able to access the full amount of the funds in an AMRF and chooses to do so then it is taxable in the hands of the recipient as income for the tax year in which it is paid.
I do not currently have any plans to remove the requirements which apply before a person can have increased access to the funds in an AMRF or transfer them to an ARF. These provisions, along with other taxation measures, are however kept under review.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects to continue to encourage the banking sector to meet the requirements of small and medium-sized industry and the retail or commercial sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1978/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy is focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources. In this regard the Government has developed a number of initiatives to ensure that the supply of credit in the market is sufficient to meet the existing and future needs of SMEs.
As the Deputy is aware, a key objective of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is to ensure that SMEs can access low cost flexible loans from a variety of sources. The SBCI channels its funds through lending partners known as on-lenders. The SBCI currently has three bank on-lending partners and five non-bank on-lending partners. The SBCI has a current funding capacity of €1.05 billion which it makes available to its on-lending partners as demand from SMEs arises. To the end of September 2016, a total of €458 million has been lent to over 10,600 SMEs and the SBCI has committed a total of €906 million to its eight on-lending partners. In 2017, the SBCI will continue to make significant funding available to SMEs across Ireland.
Another recent initiative is the €150 million Cash Flow Support Loan Fund for Farmers announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This fund will provide highly flexible, low interest loans to farming SMEs.
The Microenterprise Loan Fund, administered by Microfinance Ireland, is an additional source of credit that provides loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established, or growing micro enterprises employing less than 10 people.
The Credit Review Office is another government initiative that helps SMEs who have had an application for credit of up to €3 million declined or reduced by the main banks, and who feel that they have a viable business proposition. This is a strictly confidential process between the business, the Credit Review Office and the bank. The Credit Review Office overturns more than 50% of appeals it receives.
The Government remains committed to the SME sector and sees it as the key engine of ongoing economic growth. I can assure the Deputy that my Department, working with other relevant Departments, Bodies and Agencies, such as the Credit Review Office, will continue to advance policies to ensure the availability of both bank and non-bank credit so as to ensure that viable Irish SMEs have sufficient access to finance.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the banking sector is currently meeting the working capital requirements of the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, supporting SMEs, including those in the farming community, in terms of access to finance has been a cornerstone policy for Government in our efforts to rebuild the economy and bring back jobs.
In terms of monitoring the working capital requirements for SMEs, my Department commissions biannual surveys to ascertain the demand for credit by SMEs. This survey series, most recently conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of my Department, is the most comprehensive survey of SME credit demand in Ireland, covering 1,500 respondents and involving over 6,000 direct telephone calls to SMEs. SMEs of all sizes trading in all sectors, excluding property development and speculative activities, are included. The survey covers demand for credit from both bank and non-bank sources.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the most recently published Department of Finance SME Credit Demand Survey, covering the period April to September 2016, which can be found at www.finance.gov.ie. The results of this survey show that, when pending applications are excluded, 84% of credit applications to banks were approved or partially approved. Purchases, replacement or lease of new vehicle/equipment is now provided as the main reason for applying for bank finance with 29% stating this is why they requested bank finance. Working capital/cash flow requirements were provided as the second highest reason for applying for bank finance with 27% of respondents stating that they required finance for this purpose. When asked about sources of finance for working capital, internal funds/retained earnings were the main finance source of working capital with 73% of working capital coming from this source (up 6%). The survey also showed continued positive trends in terms of trading performance, profitability and employment.
The SME State Bodies Group, chaired by my Department, provides a forum for the development and implementation of policy measures to enhance SMEs' access to a stable and appropriate supply of finance. As the Deputy will be aware, the Action Plan for Jobs over the past number of years has set out a range of commitments to ensure viable SMEs can access appropriate finance at a reasonable cost from both bank and non-bank sources. These Government policies have supported year on year increases in new lending to the farming sector, as measured by the Central Bank.
It should be noted that the SBCI have reported that, as at end June 2016, 24% of their loans (by value) were to SMEs operating in the agriculture sector.
All viable SMEs operating in Ireland should have the opportunity to access sufficient finance to meet their enterprise needs in a manner that supports growth and employment in the economy and the Government remains committed to the SME sector, as reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government. Consequently, my Department and the Credit Review Office, working with the other relevant Departments and Agencies, will continue to monitor the availability of both bank and non-bank credit to viable SMEs including those in the farming community.
353. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy delay and difficulties being experienced by a sports club and a school (details supplied) and on a wall and pitch development project on part of his Department's lands; the cause of the delay; and if he will attempt to resolve the delay in the project receiving permission that would benefit the club, school and the adjoining local community. [41331/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that officials from my Department are currently awaiting the outcome of a recent meeting which took place on the 11th of December between the sports club referred to by the Deputy and the school authorities with a view to further progressing matters.
354. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the areas for which the EU funding under the youth guarantee was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41585/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) is one of the main EU financial resources to support the implementation of the youth guarantee by providing job, education and training opportunities to young people aged 15-25 who are not in employment, education of training. YEI funding is reserved for use in those regions, including Ireland, where youth unemployment levels exceeded 25% during the reference year of 2012. The specific YEI funding allocation for Ireland of €68m is matched by equal amounts from our European Social Fund (ESF) allocation and from the Exchequer, giving an overall allocation of €204m.
The YEI is integrated into ESF programming and is being delivered in Ireland as a dedicated priority axis within the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. Seven specific actions were selected for funding under the YEI, namely the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance; JobBridge; JobsPlus Incentive Scheme; Tús; Youthreach, Social Inclusion and Activation Programme and Momentum. These actions are underway and are being fully funded up-front by the Exchequer.
The ESF Managing Authority within my Department has not made a claim for the relevant ESF/YEI funding from the European Commission to date. This funding is available for drawdown before the end of 2018 and it is expected that the funding will be fully drawn down.
355. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will implement an amendment of the rules in his Department's circular 0017/2015 in order that if two boards of management are in agreement a teacher exchange can be facilitated on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41033/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the outcome of the review of the teacher exchange programme; if this review will be published; if his Department will consider establishing a means whereby a permanent teacher may transfer between schools without losing job security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41131/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 360 together.
The provisions of the teacher exchange scheme are set out by my Department in Circular Letter 0017/2015 the contents of which were agreed under the auspices of the Teacher Conciliation Council. The Teacher Conciliation Council is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the Terms and Conditions of employment of teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The Teacher Exchange scheme is open to primary teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council, have completed probation and who wish to exchange their posts for educational purposes. Educational purposes would include enabling teachers in primary schools to gain experience of teaching in different types of settings. The concept is that teachers will gain a different experience, enrich their knowledge and understanding of their professional work and share this understanding with colleagues.
The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.
In 2016 the issue of this limit and the purpose of the scheme was reviewed under the auspices of Teachers Conciliation Council. Having considered the matter and taking into account all circumstances both the union and management partners considered that their preferred option is to retain the existing scheme as set out in the published circular.
However, in response to a request for consideration of a voluntary transfer scheme for Primary Teachers, I have decided to extend the maximum period for which an exchange may occur for those teachers in their fifth and sixth year of exchange for one further year.
356. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schoolchildren with autism in mainstreams schools, the number of autism units within mainstream schools and the number of specific autism schools. [41047/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school places available to children with autism in special schools. [41049/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 358 together.
The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
In respect of children with ASD who are unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports, they may be enrolled in special classes within mainstream schools or in special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Autism Policy Advice Policy Advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Schools noted that there were almost 14,000 students diagnosed with autism in schools. This indicates a national ASD prevalence rate of 1.55% or 1 in every 65 students.
My Department invests over €300m annually in providing additional resources specifically to support students with autism in schools enabling:
- 63% of students to attend mainstream schools
- 23% to attend special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, and
- 14% to attend special schools.
The NCSE have informed my Department that currently there are approximately 12,775 students with ASD attending primary level (which includes all Special Schools). Of these 7,247 Students attend mainstream schools and are accessing in-school supports including Resource teaching and SNA support.
A further 3,484 students with ASD are attending Special Classes within their local mainstream schools.
The remaining 2,044 primary level students with ASD are placed in special schools.
357. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children of primary school age in the Cork region who have been diagnosed with autism. [41048/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
In respect of children with ASD who are unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports, they may be enrolled in special classes within mainstream schools or in special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Autism Policy Advice Policy Advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Schools noted that there were almost 14,000 students diagnosed with autism in schools. This indicates a national ASD prevalence rate of 1.55% or 1 in every 65 students.
My Department invests over €300m annually in providing additional resources specifically to support students with autism in schools enabling:
- 63% of students to attend mainstream schools
- 23% to attend special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, and
- 14% to attend special schools.
The NCSE does not have a prevalence rate specific to Cork, however the NCSE has advised that there are 1,799 Primary Level students with ASD attending schools in Cork.
Of these, 1,083 students attend mainstream schools and are accessing in-school supports including Resource teaching and SNA support. A further 576 students with ASD are attending 104 Special Classes within mainstream schools for students with Autism of which 22 are Early Intervention ASD Classes and 80 are primary ASD classes. The remaining 140 students with ASD are placed in special schools.
359. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he proposes to resolve the current situation of homeless students estranged from their family and refused the special rate of maintenance grant despite being below the threshold, such as a person (details supplied) who is currently in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41130/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student referred to by the Deputy stated in her application to SUSI that she was irreconcilably estranged from her parents. This was established to the satisfaction of SUSI in accordance with Article 21 (3)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2016. Therefore, the income of her parents was not taken into account.
In assessing an application for the 2016/17 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant as set out in the Student Grant Scheme 2016:
1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €22,703;
3. As at 31st of December 2015, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
There is no discretion to deviate from these particular provisions of the Student Grant Scheme and governing legislation.
However, if an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
The current system of student supports is underpinned by the Student Support Act, 2011. It is my intention to initiate a review of this legislation later this year to identify areas where the Act needs to be updated to reflect the changes that have taken place in Irish society in 2011 and also to ensure that our system of student supports is targeted effectively at those most in need. All relevant issues will be considered as part of this review.
