Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is possible for a family on family income supplement to avail of a third level education grant despite that family's gross income being in excess of the published cut-off limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27890/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The rates of grant and the income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget. No changes to the rates or thresholds were included in Budget 2015.

Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.

In addition to the scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.