Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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2098. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the SUSI rate was changed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57939/25]

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 centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

Article 22 of the Student Grant Scheme 2025 sets out for the awarding authority the determination of reckonable income. Reckonable income shall be determined by the awarding authority on the basis of information supplied in the application form and other relevant information and documentary evidence supplied. In calculating reckonable income, the awarding authority shall consider income from all sources. For the purposes of determining the reckonable income of an applicant, certain payments known for the purposes of this Scheme as “income disregards”, are not included in calculating reckonable income.

In this case, an official from my Department has advised that the student referred to by the Deputy was awarded the Non-Adjacent Band 3 Part Maintenance rate of grant, together with 100% rate of Student Contribution or 100% Tuition Fees, whichever applies and was advised of this by letter on 12 May 2025.

The awarding authority SUSI have advised that following a review, additional income information was identified which increased the total household reckonable income and resulted in a change to the rate of grant awarded. The student was awarded a revised rate of grant of 100% rate of Student Contribution or 100% Tuition Fees, whichever applies and was advised of this by letter dated 13 October 2025.

The student submitted an appeal request on 13 October 2025, on the grounds of a change in household circumstances. The application is currently at the appeals stage and is queued for assessment by the awarding authority.