Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

So far, what we are seeing is a significant number of applicants being granted the SUSI grants. We are monitoring this on a weekly basis and we will continue to monitor it. I will reflect on the point the Deputy has made on the holiday earnings disregard. There may be something in it should the need arise as we see the system develop. We have to have a consistency of approach in terms of one social welfare payment with another. Otherwise, there would be a gross unfairness to students who receive other social welfare benefits.

We have the change of circumstances mechanism. More than 10,000 applicants declared a change of circumstance in the past year. Of these, 40% related to Covid-19. The scheme has shown flexibility in addressing these issues. For the next academic year, applications will be assessed on the gross income from all sources for January to December. However, and this is crucial, if applicants or family members experienced a change in circumstances during 2021 they can apply for the SUSI application to be assessed or reassessed under the change of circumstances mechanism. Such a change in circumstances would include perhaps no longer being in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment because a part-time job has come back as the hospitality, retail and other sectors open. Such a change in circumstance would have to continue for the duration of the course or the foreseeable future. We are monitoring this on a weekly basis and I will reflect on the Deputy's points.

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