Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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877. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for details of SUSI grant eligibility conditions for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35723/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In general, for student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.

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 or re-entry (following a break in study of at least 3 years) to an approved further or higher education course, and is not ordinarily resident with their parents from the previous 1st October. This status continues for the duration of their study.

The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).

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.

Further information regarding class of applicant (independent or dependent) and the types of documentation accepted as evidence of living independently from parents is available from SUSI’s website: www.susi.ie/eligibility/applicant-class/

Only in exceptional cases, where compelling evidence of estrangement from parents/guardians is provided, can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address, Article 21(3) (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2025 refers.

If an applicant is irreconcilably estranged from their parents or legal guardians they can declare this on their SUSI application. Such applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a specialist assessment team who are dedicated to giving them the care and thorough consideration required around such a sensitive issue.

Applicants are requested to provide documentary evidence of estrangement to confirm their situation. The type of documentary evidence required is dependent on the applicant’s individual circumstances and may vary widely from case to case.

The requirement to provide sufficient evidence is necessary, due to the fact that, where estrangement is confirmed, applicants may be exempted from having their parent’s or legal guardian’s income taken into account for grant assessment purposes.

An official from my Department has advised that the student referred to by the Deputy applied as a dependent student for academic year 2024/2025 and declared on this application that he was estranged from his parents. SUSI received documents from the applicant on 17 September 2024 in support of estrangement, but these were deemed to be insufficient to confirm their estrangement, and his application was refused. The applicant appealed this decision. The SUSI Appeals Officer reviewed and upheld the original decision and an appeal refusal letter was issued to the applicant on 25 October 2025.

This letter advised that if a student is dissatisfied with the determination of the SUSI Appeals Officer, they can further appeal to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board (SGAB). The applicant did not exercise that right.

To be classed as an independent student an applicant must have attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry or re-entry (following a break in study of at least 3 years) to an approved further or higher education course. In addition they must not be ordinarily resident with their parents/legal guardians from the October in the year prior to their first point of entry/re-entry to an approved further or higher education course.

The applicant was under 23 years of age at his first point of entry into higher education in 2020/2021 and does not have a three-year break in studies to meet re-entry criteria. In addition to this, he was not 23 years of age on the 1 January 2025. He does not meet the criteria to be classed as an independent student.

In line with the above, if he chooses to make an application for student grant funding for his course in the 2025/26 academic year, he will be required to do so as a dependent student and should declare estrangement on this application form. When assessed by the awarding authority, a letter will be sent to him requesting documents to support his estrangement.

When the requested documents are received, they will be reviewed by a member of the assessment team and the applicant will be notified of the outcome of this review in writing once complete.

If his application is refused due to insufficient documents, the applicant may exercise his right to appeal this decision to SUSI’s Appeals Officer. If this appeal is unsuccessful, he can then further appeal to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.

Should the Deputy require, SUSI are more than happy to arrange a call with their office or with the applicant to explain the above in more detail.

I recognise the significant financial pressures faced by students due to various expenses and the rising cost of living. It remains a top priority for me and my Department to continually explore the most effective ways to support students in managing these costs, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to succeed.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in higher education 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.

In addition, the applicant may be eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate of tax in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.

I trust this clarifies the situation.