Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Further and Higher Education
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1386. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to accept that those over the age of 23 years are not living at home as independent of their parents, regardless of the type of accommodation or the length of time living way from home. [47521/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Student Grant Scheme is a critical financial support for students participating in further and higher education. As in any statutory scheme, a core principle of the scheme is that there is consistency of approach and an equitable treatment for applicants as part of the means assessment process. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The terms and conditions of funding are applied impartially to all applicants
A student may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income and address) if they have attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1st October. Otherwise, they would be assessed as a dependent student, i.e. assessed with reference to parental income and address.
A student’s status for grant purposes is defined at their first point of entry to an approved further or higher education course or at their point of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and continues to apply for the duration of their studies.
However, there are points at which a student may reclassify from a dependent student to an independent student. These are where they:
- Progresses from further education to higher education.
- Is returning following a 3 year break in studies.
- Is returning as a "second chance" student after a three year break in studies.
When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of their parents, the grant awarding authority (SUSI) are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant. The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the grant awarding authority.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student.
Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1387. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he intends to introduce a dedicated local transport link to service colleges of further or higher education in the Sligo or Leitrim area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47563/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science(DFHERIS) has no policy responsibility for transport links. However, we are acutely aware of the issues students have raised. This is a matter we are examining and we are consulting with the Department of Transport.
No comments