Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)
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3390. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it can be ensured that a person (details supplied) receives the SUSI grant in time to return to Trinity College Dublin. [42987/25]

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

Generally speaking, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously, as per Article 15 (6) and (7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2025.

Notwithstanding this, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2024, the awarding authority SUSI has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances, such as serious certified illness, which impacted on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister. SUSI treats each application for repeat funding on a case-by-case basis and it is a matter for the individual student to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that there were exceptional circumstances. The Scheme does not specify what proof is required for exceptional circumstances. Documentation relating to the exceptional circumstances must be provided by the appellant.

However, the student referred to by the Deputy has not applied for grant funding for the 2025/26 academic year.

The student submitted an application for year two of her course in the 2024/25 academic year and was awarded funding. The Higher Education Institution (HEI) confirmed her registration on 31 October 2024 and maintenance payments in respect of September, October and November were paid to the student in November 2024. However, on 19 November 2024 the HEI informed SUSI that the student had withdrawn from her course on 1 September 2024.

In line with Section 24 of the Student Support Act 2011, SUSI is obliged to attempt to recoup any grants issued to applicants who are not eligible for funding. A letter was sent to the applicant on 19 November 2024 seeking repayment.

If the applicant does wish to make an application for the 2025/26 academic year, we would encourage her to do so as soon as possible to ensure her application can be finalised before the start of the academic year.

Assessment of funding for 2025/26, would include consideration of her previous registration in the 2024/25 academic year, and she would have to complete a repeat period of study of one month before being eligible for consideration of funding.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3391. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing SUSI by 20% adjacent and non-adjacent over two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42990/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware that the rising cost of living continues?to impact students and their families. This Government is committed to reducing the cost of college for families and we have already made significant strides in that regard over the last few budgets.

From September 2025, all income thresholds under the Student Grant Scheme will increase. The income threshold for the special rate of maintenance is increasing in line with Social Welfare increases and all other income thresholds are increasing by at least 15%.

The Student Grant Scheme is a demand led scheme and costings each year are variable based on the number of successful applicants. Utilising paid student numbers for the 24/25 academic year it would be estimated that the full year cost for the 2026/27 academic year to increase all maintenance grant adjacent and non-adjacent rates by 20% would be approximately €40m. However, estimates are likely to change once data for paid applicants for 25/26 becomes available.

To support decision-making, ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education.

The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.