Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will adjust the income reckoner limits for the SUSI grant process to net reckonable earnings to make it fair on PAYE workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18265/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for higher income thresholds for larger families. In addition to this, further increases in the income thresholds are provided for where additional family members are attending further and/or higher education at the same time.

The current system of student supports is underpinned by the Student Support Act, 2011. My officials have recently commenced a review of this legislation to identify areas where the Act needs to be updated to reflect the changes that have taken place in Irish society and to ensure that supports are targeted effectively at those most in need. All relevant issues will be considered as part of this review.