John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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2721. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports, grants or alternative financial assistance available to students commencing a master's in social work; if he will review the SUSI criteria in cases where applicants have modest incomes but face prohibitive fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46156/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.

Postgraduate students who meet all the conditions of the Student Grant Scheme including a means test may become eligible for a maintenance and/or fee grant/contribution.

Maintenance grants for postgraduate students were restored in September 2024 for the first time since the financial crisis. The annual rates and the income thresholds for maintenance grants are now the same for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

I would encourage students to access the susi website www.susi.ie to check if they are eligible for a grant (www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates).

If a student is experiencing exceptional financial need they may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). 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. SAF is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration including postgraduate qualification and can be accessed through the access officer within the institution. More information on this fund and other supports are also available at www.studentfinance.ie or from the institutions access office.