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Student Grant Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Ceisteanna (495)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to amend the higher education grant system to ensure that students who would otherwise qualify for a grant due to a parent's income, but have been disenfranchised due to maintenance payments received by their single parent to offset the family mortgage as directed by court settlement, can qualify for a grant; his views on whether an unequal standard is being applied in this qualifying criteria for a grant, in contradiction of the principles of natural justice, as a family home is not counted as means if no mortgage payments exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31700/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The assessment of means under the Scheme is based on gross income from all sources before the deduction of income tax or the universal social charge, with certain social welfare and Health Service Executive payments being exempt. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. No allowances can be made for outgoings, e.g. mortgage repayments.

The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.

The calculation of reckonable income is set out in Article 22(3) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020. The income considered by SUSI, the centralised student grant awarding authority, is income from all sources, whether it arises in the State or not, including maintenance payments.

Article 21(2) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020 states that where a dependent student's parents are divorced or legally separated, or it is established to the satisfaction of SUSI, the grant awarding authority that they are separated, the income to be assessed is that of the student and the parent with whom she/he resides.

The treatment of maintenance payments is as follows:

In cases where one parent/legal guardian has custody of the child, the awarding authority SUSI will take that income, together with the maintenance payments paid by the other parent/guardian, into account.

If the parent who has custody of the child pays maintenance to support a spouse living separately, these payments are deducted in computing the reckonable income of the parent maintaining the child.

In cases where joint custody exists, the income of both parents/guardians is taken into account.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter in the first instance for the grant awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).

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 an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.

I want to look strategically at the wide range of issues related to the SUSI scheme, and that is why I recently announced plans to review the scheme. It is intended that the Review will commence before the end of 2020, and will report in Summer 2021. Stakeholders will be consulted as part of the Review process. The amount allocated to SUSI in any given year will continue to depend on the annual Estimates cycle, but it is my intention that the future direction of the SUSI scheme will be guided by the outcome of the Review.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.

As announced as part of Budget 2021 we will provide financial assistance through a once off €50 million fund for students to mitigate against the impacts of the changed learning environment. My officials and I are developing the process on how this once-off fund will operate for submission to Government prior to commencement. Further details will be available for student shortly.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.

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