John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 601: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to the basis of calculation of eligibility for third level maintenance grants; if income is that recorded on the P60 form; if allowance is made for outgoings, for example, mortgage payments; if not, the reason therefor; if she will consider a change or alteration in the basis by basing eligibility on net rather than gross payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23926/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The assessment of means under my Department's third level student maintenance grant schemes is based on gross income from all sources, with specified social welfare and health board payments being excluded from the calculation.

Under the schemes reckonable income is defined as income from employment or pensions; self-employment or farming; rent and income from land or property; deposit or investment accounts; maintenance arrangements; gifts, inheritances and disposal of assets and rights; and social welfare, in certain circumstances.

I have no plans at present to depart from the above practice in respect of the determination of income.