James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a submission (details supplied) in County Westmeath; his plans to make changes to the SUSI grants system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32046/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The assessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources. The means test arrangements of the student grant scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. This eliminates any distortion which may arise from different spending decisions.

The Deputy may be aware that income thresholds are increased, depending on the number of dependent children in a family and/or the number of relevant persons attending further or higher education.

Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the students referred to by the Deputy applied for student grants for the academic year 2014-2015 and each was refused as the reckonable income for their household was in excess of the maximum allowable in order to qualify for funding.

I understand that one of the students has appealed the initial decision. SUSI has requested additional documentation in support of the appeal and both students' applications will be re-assessed on receipt of this documentation.

If the appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the students remain of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in their case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicants to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from

In addition, the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. The access offices themselves also provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.

Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.