Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter in relation to a grant application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47625/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the students to which the Deputy refers, have exhausted their statutory based appeals within SUSI and to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the outcome of individual cases within this statutory appeals process.

With regard to the general issue of assessment of income under the Student Grants Scheme, the rates of grant and the income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the budget.

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. Consequently, there is no provision under the Student Grant Scheme to provide for any exceptions to those involved in the process of bankruptcy and/or insolvency agreements.

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 Office 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 atwww.revenue.ie.