Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1372. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to allow for mortgage repayments to be disregarded when assessing the income threshold for the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), provides grant assistance 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 assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income, before deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.

The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending patterns in different households if outgoings were also to be assessed.

My Department reviews policy on an ongoing basis, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.

The Deputy will be aware that students may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website,