Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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1407. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she considers the additional €4,830 allowance to the third level grants threshold for second or subsequent children adequate, considering the average estimated cost is more than €10,000 per year to keep a student in college. [34238/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The eligibility criteria for student grants including the income thresholds is reviewed annually in my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The aim of the student grant scheme has always been to make a contribution to the cost of going to college, covering the full cost has never been a feasible option. In recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college an increment, for each additional relevant person, can be applied to the income thresholds at the rates outlined in the student grant scheme. The maximum increment that can be applied, per relevant person, is €4,980.

I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played by the student grant scheme in supporting families who are putting their children through further and higher education. However, the state of the public finances is such that tough decisions had to be made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run.