Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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2492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications made to SUSI for the 2024-2025 academic year that were rejected on the grounds of household income exceeding the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18708/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period including income from a student’s employment. For the 2024/25 academic year, student grant applications are assessed based on gross income from all sources for the reference period, 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

To answer the Deputy’s question, in the academic year 2024/2025, 5,284 applications were refused as the household income was calculated to be in excess of the relevant income threshold for grant funding. It is estimated that c 17,500 students may have been eligible to apply, however, applications were not received.

This figure from SUSI is correct as of 4 April 2025, however, this figure is likely to change as processing in still ongoing for academic year 2024/25.

The Deputy will be aware, that, in Budget 2025, all income threshold limits for Student Grants were increased.

From September 2025:

• I am increasing the special rate of maintenance threshold from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with Social Welfare increases.
• I am increasing all other maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds by 15%.
• I am also increasing the postgraduate fee contribution threshold and the part-time scheme threshold to match the new 100% Student Contribution threshold which will now be €64,315.