Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current levels of qualifying income for third level SUSI grants and fees; the average household income in the State at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36660/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraReckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme is household income from all sources including income from a student’s employment. When assessing reckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme it is the previous year’s income that is assessed. Therefore applications to the awarding authority (SUSI) for the academic year 2022/2023 are assessed based on household income earned in 2021 (1st January to 31st December 2021).
Under the Student Grant Scheme 2022, the highest income threshold for the award of 25% maintenance grant assistance ranges between €46,790 and €55,630 (varying based on the number of dependent children in the household). However, additional increments (of up to €4,950 per person) may be applied to these thresholds to take into account other relevant persons in the household (apart from the applicant) attending a full-time further or higher education course.
The income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme 2022 are set out in Schedule 1 of the Scheme linked here: S.I. No. 118/2022 - Student Grant Scheme 2022 (irishstatutebook.ie)
The recent review of the Student Grant Scheme found that the cost of living for students has increased by over 25% between 2011 and 2021.
Addressing the costs of education for students and their families is a major priority for me. That is why I commissioned the review of the Student Grant Scheme, which was published on 4th May.
I have already taken a number of steps to alleviate financial pressures, which help to tackle issues raised in the Student Grant Scheme Review. These include:
- Increasing the grant payment for all those in receipt of a maintenance grant by €200;
- Increasing the qualifying thresholds for the standard rate of maintenance by €1,000;
- Changing the qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of grant to help students who live further away from college;
- This is in addition to measures I introduced in Budget 2021 i.e. increasing the postgraduate fee grant from €2,000 to €3,500 and increasing the postgraduate fee grant income threshold.
I have committed to publishing an annual costs of education paper, which will set out the range of options to address costs, including changes to the Student Grant Scheme and student contributions. This will seek to inform decision-making at Budget time regarding the measures which can be taken to continue to support students and their families.
