Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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49. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason pension contributions are disregarded for one student’s application but not the other student of the same family when applying for a SUSI grant (details supplied). [49761/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including those relating to reckonable income, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant. This is solely a matter for SUSI to determine.

However, students may contact SUSI’s Helpdesk with any queries in relation to their grant application or the appeals process, or to request a review of their student grant application, by calling 0761 087 874 or email: support@susi.ie. Information in relation to student grant assistance is also available from SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie.

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

In addition, 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, including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the SUSI review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49756/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme, which is close to finalisation.

My Department is overseeing the implementation of the review. A Steering Committee has been established to provide direction for the external consultants undertaking the review. Its membership includes: the Union of Students of Ireland; Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), SOLAS, the HEA; Irish University Association (IUA); Technological Higher Education Association (THEA); Technological University Dublin (TUD), the Department of Social Protection and officials from my Department.

The final Report will be presented to me later this year and I would intend bringing it to Government before publication.