Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will increase SUSI income thresholds in recognition of the significant increases in the cost of living faced by many families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30372/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the impact the cost of living has on students and the challenges students are facing. As part of Budget 2022, I secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme for implementation in 2022.

In this regard, I have already prioritised improvements to the income thresholds and student grant rates for the 2022/23 academic year, as follows:

- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance grant.

- The income thresholds to qualify for the standard rates of student grant have been increased by €1,000.

- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.

I officially launched the report of the review of the Student Grant Scheme on May 4^th2022 and am committed to implementing the recommendations in a phased way.As I look towards the next budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the issue of education costs in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly across society. This summer in advance of the Estimates process, I intend to publish a paper outlining potential options and impacts, to be considered in the Budgetary process, related to the Student Grant scheme and other programmes related to student supports and costs of higher education, including with respect to those priorities identified in the Student Grant Scheme Review.

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.

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. Further information on this relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.