Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the reduction in income of a parent of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick due to the closure of the Castlemahon Poultry Products, she will review a decision to refuse a higher education grant despite the fact that the income has now dropped to less than €10,000 per annum. [6000/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the mean's tested provision of the Higher Education Grant Scheme a candidate's reckonable income is based on income from all sources from the previous tax year, unless there is an adverse change of circumstances, which is likely to be permanent (i.e. likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future). However, it is recognised that the very nature of self-employment is the risk factor that is the uncertainty/fluctuating nature of the income and expenditure. This is the essential distinguishing feature from employment.

Officials of my Department contacted the Higher Education Grant Section of Limerick County Council concerning the candidate referred to by the Deputy. Limerick County Council confirmed that the candidate was not eligible for the grant as the reckonable income exceeded the prescribed limit for the academic year 2006/2007. I regret that it is not possible to allow grant aid where the reckonable income exceeds the prescribed limits irrespective of the particular circumstances.

While I understand that the portion of the candidate's parents' income from the chicken enterprise has now ceased due to the closure of Castlemahon Poultry Products, this drop in income will be reflected in their accounts, as they are self employed, in the relevant tax year.

Apart from the Schemes of Student Support and the Free Fees Initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees in approved colleges at undergraduate level, my Department also provides funding to approved third level institutions to operate a Student Assistance Fund to assist students in a compassionate and sensitive manner who may otherwise have to leave college due to financial hardship. Information on the fund is available from the Access Officer at the college being attended by the candidate referred to by the Deputy.