Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding cut off levels for SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. Gross income before the deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.

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.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children.

In addition to this and in recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may be increased for each additional family member attending college at the same time by a rate up to a maximum of €4,830.

In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.

The Student Grant Scheme is complemented by the Student Assistance Fund which operates in higher education institutions. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential and discretionary basis.