Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider amending the student grant criteria to ensure that cases (details supplied) do not arise in the future especially when they currently affect a small number of families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19072/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In the case of a student whose parents are divorced, legally separated or it is established to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that they are separated, the reckonable income shall be that of the applicant and the parent with whom the applicant resides.

The income of a step-parent who is not a legal guardian is not included in determining reckonable income. Where the reckonable income does not include a long-term social welfare payment, as listed in the Student Grant Scheme, the special rate of grant is not payable.

I have no plans at present to change the criteria in relation to persons whose income is considered in determining reckonable income for student grant purposes.