Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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960. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a further review is carried out in relation to a SUSI grant assessment (details supplied); if he will confirm that all documentation provided by the applicant, including employer forms and school confirmation, was fully taken into account; if he will clarify the reason that after additional evidence has been submitted, the assessment outcome did not change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51255/25]

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

Under the Student Grant Scheme for approved full-time courses, income of the applicant from employment which represents holiday earnings outside of term time (Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays) can be deducted when determining the reckonable income of an applicant. The maximum amount of this deduction in the 2025/2026 academic year is €8,424 (an increase from €7,925 in the 2024/2025 academic year) and this can be deducted from both full-time and part-time employment income.

An official in my Department has advised that the student referred to by the Deputy was awarded the Non-adjacent Band 2 part maintenance rate of grant by the awarding authority SUSI and was advised of this by letter on 18 August 2025.

The applicant requested a review of their application on 4 September 2025 and 25th September 2025 as they believed that further Holiday Earnings could be deducted. They submitted documents to support these reviews which showed that some income was earned during school mid-term.

This income could not be regarded as Holiday Earnings as it was earned outside the eligible periods of Christmas, Easter, and Summer. SUSI confirmed their original award on 16 September 2025 & 26th September 2025.

The applicant has the right to appeal this decision in accordance with Section 20 of the Student Support Act 2011. Any appeal must be made within 30 days of receipt of their award letter.

I trust this clarifies the situation.