Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1351. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that he intends to provide for students who fail to meet the SUSI criteria of being on a long-term social protection payments for maintenance grants; if he will consider changing current criteria which discriminates against many students who must work prior to commencing study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43836/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students. The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependents of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled.
Particular priority is afforded to those on the lowest incomes and social welfare dependents through the special rate of grant, which is payable at the higher non-adjacent rate of €6,115 or the adjacent rate of €2,575, depending on the distance travelled to the college attended.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. In assessing an application for the 2022/23 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant:
1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependent Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €24,500;
3. As at 31st of December 2021, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Student Grant Scheme 2022.
Under the Student Grant Scheme 2022, maintenance grants are also available at different rates of grant for those who are not eligible for the Special Rate of Grant due to them not being in receipt of a long term social welfare payment. These rates of grant are assessed on the reckonable income that is applicable to the student and the rate of grant awarded is based on eligibility under a particular income threshold.
Also, under Article 22(5)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022, income from an applicant’s employment which represents holiday earnings outside of term time but within the reference period up to a maximum of €4,500 can be deducted from the total reckonable income assessed. On 21/06/2022 Cabinet approved my request to increase the holiday earnings income disregard from €4,500 to €6,552 which will be reflected in the Student Grant Scheme for 2023. While the 2023 Scheme will not be finalised until 2023, I secured Government approval at that point so that students could be informed of the proposed change and make them aware that they can earn up to €6,552 during non-term time in 2022 without being concerned that it will affect their eligibility for a student grant in 2023.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual Budget.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). Students can apply for the SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs, medical costs and books/class materials. This Fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and 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 Offices in the third level institution attended.
