Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the same income limit of €35,000 applies for single persons and for couples who wish to return to higher education and receive a grant; her views on whether this anomaly is discriminatory; and if she has considered proposals to change this situation. [16403/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the threshold for education grants is set at €35,000 for single persons and also for married persons; if there are plans to change this anomaly, particularly where both married persons wish to return to full time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16506/06]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 523: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the bias against married couples in the higher education grants scheme whereby the income limits for a couple are the same as for a single person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16658/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 515 and 523 together.

For the purposes of determining grant eligibility under my Department's Maintenance Grants Schemes, reckonable income is defined for the purposes of the 2005 Scheme as all amounts received or receivable by an individual without reference to his/her residence or domicile, from both Irish and foreign sources, which are liable to Irish Income Tax, Irish Capital Gains Tax or Irish Capital Acquisitions Tax, or which would be so liable but for exemptions and reliefs contained in Irish legislation, and corresponding amounts received or receivable by individuals resident in another EU Member State which are liable to Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance or Gift Taxes of that State, or which would be so liable but for exemptions and reliefs contained in the legislation of that State.

The candidate's reckonable income for the purposes of the means test is his/her gross income from all sources and the gross income of his/her parents or guardians, where applicable, with certain specified Social Welfare and Health Board Payments being exempt. Grant assistance may not be awarded in any case where the reckonable income exceeds the prescribed income limits for the award of a grant.

In the case of an independent mature candidate, the candidate's reckonable income shall be that of the candidate and his/her spouse if applicable. The current income limits follow for the information of the Deputy. This arrangement has been in place for many years and there are no plans at present to change it.