Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant income limits; and if the income threshold for students working part time to pay for accommodation costs will be increased. [53245/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for higher income thresholds for larger families. Further increases in the income thresholds are provided for where additional family members are attending further and higher education at the same time.

The income threshold for the special rate of grant is €23,500. The student must also meet other qualifying criteria for the special rate of grant. The highest income threshold, for a family of less than 4 dependent children, is €54,240. This will qualify a student for 50% of the student contribution.

The income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget process. No changes to the thresholds were announced in Budget 2019.

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.