Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
562. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason carer’s benefit is included as reckonable income as part of a SUSI application when carer’s allowance is not; and the reason the carer's support grant is included in reckonable income if the person is in receipt of carer’s benefit but is disregarded if he or she is in receipt of carer’s allowance (details supplied). [28320/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by the Department of Education and Skills in financial terms is the student grant scheme, which makes available means-tested financial assistance to students in further and higher education. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students on full-time courses who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means.
I can confirm that Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit are eligible payments for the special rate of maintenance grant. In addition Carer’s Allowance, the Carer’s Support Grant (where paid to recipients of the Carer’s Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance) and the Domiciliary Care Allowance are classified as an “income disregards” and these payments are not included in calculating reckonable income.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant on the grounds of his/her initial classification as an independent or dependent student, 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, outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board at www.studentgrantappeals.ie within the required timeframe.
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. The SAF is open to full-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
