Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

533. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on SUSI grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8462/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The nationality requirements for the Student Grant Scheme are set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2022. The candidate's nationality or immigration status in the State determines whether or not she or he meets the nationality requirement outlined in the Act and Regulations, and would be therefore eligible to qualify for a student grant.

My understanding is that the majority of persons in the situation outlined by the Deputy are given permission to remain in the State on the basis of a Stamp 4 Visa which, of itself, does not meet the nationality requirements of the Student Grant Scheme 2022.

There is provision for a review of eligibility where a person’s circumstances changes in the academic year. This includes a change in relation to a student's nationality or immigration status. Where a student acquires Irish citizenship by naturalisation, or is granted one of the permission to remain criterion provided for in the Act or Regulations during the course of their studies, she or he may apply to SUSI to have their application re-assessed.

I think it is important that our approach to these issues is equitable, consistent and fully aligned with the intent and purpose of the immigration permissions which are granted to individuals. My Department has liaised, and continues to liaise, with the Department of Justice on this issue.

The issues raised are subject to consideration by my Department as part of the annual options paper which will be prepared in the summer and which sets out the possible policy options and their indicative costs ahead of Budget 2024. At this time it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of that paper and any measures which may follow.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

534. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration is being given to increasing the amount of earnings which are disregarded for students who work during their holidays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8468/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I recognise that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students.

The main financial support available to students is the Student Grant Scheme. The means-tested Scheme is administered by SUSI on behalf of my Department.

Under the Scheme, "holiday earnings", that is income that a student has earned outside of term time in the previous tax year, can be deducted from the total income assessed, up to a maximum level.

For students in the current academic year the maximum level that could be deducted is €4,500. However, as part of Budget 2023 I secured agreement for a significant increase on this amount. For the 2023/24 academic year, the level will increase to €6,552 which will allow students to work longer hours outside of term time without their student grant eligibility being affected.

It is important to say that the rationale for the policy approach of focusing on earnings outside of term time is to mitigate against students working so much during their third level education that it negatively impacts on their ability to fully participate in their course. This issue was highlighted most recently by the independent review of the Student Grant Scheme, which outlined that while there are many benefits to students engaging in some forms of employment, it is also important to recognise that working excessive hours can negatively impact a student's education experience and may result in them dropping out.