John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason depreciation of interest on borrowings is taken as means rather than outgoings in the consideration of SUSI grant applications; if the applications for a grant for 2016 and 2017 in the name of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the fact that the family are suffering financial hardship having failed to qualify for the maximum grant support; if the actual financial circumstances of the family will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47162/17]

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. All earnings including overtime must be assessed for the calculation of reckonable income.

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.

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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

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