Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1387. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a change of circumstances of reckonable income was not taken into consideration for a student's (details supplied) SUSI application as the student's father's pension increased year-on-year and the family requested for their application to be re-assessed under a change in circumstances of reckonable income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28564/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralized student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

Assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme 2022 is based on gross income from all sources, of the applicant and his/her parents or spouse/partner. No deduction is given for outgoings with the exception of private pension contributions which meets the criteria of the Student Grant Scheme, legally enforceable maintenance payments and/or employment related expenses as approved by Revenue.

With regard to this specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student to whom the Deputy refers was awarded the 50% rate of student contribution grant. The student appealed firstly to SUSI and more recently to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board on the basis of reckonable income. The appeal was heard by the independent Student Grant Appeals Board on 13th December 2022 and the determination was issued directly to the student. The student in question has exhausted the appeals process.

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.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed if eligible 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 eligibility for this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.