Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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2686. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason widow's pension is treated as a household income in the SUSI grant assessment process; if he has plans in place to review the assessment to exclude widows pension, or treating it differently, to reflect the financial reality of bereaved families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44662/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) assesses eligibility for student grants based on reckonable household income from the previous calendar year. Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period.

The Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (both Non-Contributory & Contributory) Pensions are counted as reckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme 2025 in a similar fashion to other Department of Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance because they are considered a regular source of income and are therefore not listed as income disregards under the scheme.

However, the Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant is a once-off payment to widows, widowers or surviving civil partners with dependent children and this is listed as an income disregard in the Student Grant Scheme 2025 and is therefore not included when calculating an applicant’s total reckonable income.

SUSI does allow for reviews and appeals if applicants believe their income has been incorrectly assessed or if their circumstances have changed significantly (e.g. loss of income, retirement).

A student can request a review of their SUSI decision through their student portal.

It is worth noting that the Student Grant Scheme has a number of measures aimed at supporting those who need assistance. For example, a higher rate of grant called the Special Rate of Grant is available to eligible students who's total reckonable income is under €27,400 in circumstances where that income includes an eligible long term payment as set out in the Student Grant Scheme.

The Widow's/Widowers and Surviving Civil Partner's pension are considered eligible long-term payments under the Scheme. This means that families whose reckonable income is under €27,400 and includes one of these pensions may be eligible for the highest form of grant subject to meeting all other eligibility criteria including in respect of residence and nationality.

This Government is committed to reducing the cost of college for families and we have already made significant strides in that regard. 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. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.