Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
117. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to review the criteria for the SUSI grant to take into account of unavoidable outgoings such as mortgage repayments. [23264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI very much recognise the heavy demands on families from outgoings of all kinds, including mortgage payments, but also many other unavoidable costs of living.
What is very important in any scheme which involves means assessment is that it is as fair as possible to all applicants.
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. Certain social protection and Health Service Executive payments are exempt from this.
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 patterns in different households. The retention of a gross income basis for assessment was recommended in the Review of the Student Grant Scheme, which highlighted the complexities associated with net income assessment.
My aim is to continue to make changes which help families in the fairest way possible. I have already made significant changes to the level of grant, to income thresholds and adjacency rates which will come into effect this September.
I will continue to put an emphasis on measures to address the costs of education in future Budgets. I have also committed, as part of the new funding and reform framework, to publishing an annual costs of education paper which will set out the options available in advance of the Budget to address costs and make changes to the Student Grant Scheme. This should enable consideration and debate regarding the measures which are most fair and impactful in addressing costs for families which could be prioritised in the annual Estimates process.
