Written answers
Thursday, 11 April 2019
Department of Education and Skills
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review and increase the amount permitted by SUSI for a student applicant's earning from holiday employment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17078/19]
Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt.
In the assessment of means, a deduction can be made for “Holiday Earnings” earned by the applicant from employment outside of term time but within the reference period for the assessment of income for student grant purposes.
The value of the Holiday Earnings income disregard was increased from €3,809 to €4,500 under the Student Grant Scheme 2016.
Any proposal to further increase this threshold must be considered in the context of not adversely impacting upon retention rates/the student’s ability to primarily focus on successfully completing his/her studies.
It is anticipated that the Student Grant Scheme 2019 and associated Regulations will be published shortly.
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