Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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2153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional supports available for students who lose their parents during their undergraduate years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60006/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the significant difficulties that face students where their parent or both their parents have died.

I would advise any student who suffers the loss of a parent/parents during their college years to contact the Department of Social Protection as soon as possible to check what direct supports may be available to them including Guardian’s Payment: www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/death-related-benefits/guardian-and-orphan-payments/

My Department endeavours to provide high levels of support for students who need help most.

The main support for students is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. This is available to eligible students attending full time plc/undergraduate and postgraduate courses in approved institutions. The scheme has a number of measures to provide additional support for students in circumstances where they have suffered the loss of a parent or parents.

• In general as a dependent student, your income and that of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be taken into consideration in assessing you for grant purposes. However, if neither parent is living, and in the absence of a legal guardian, the applicant will be assessed on their individual income only.
• Where a student experiences a change of circumstances mid academic year, such as a reduction in income where a parent has died, they may apply to SUSI to have their application re-assessed. To do this a student should contact SUSI at support@SUSI.ie quoting Internal Review in the Subject line.
• The Student Grant Scheme is means tested. However, in assessing income there are a number of payments which are disregarded (not counted). These include Guardian’s payment, Adoption Maintenance Allowance, Aftercare Allowance, Exceptional Needs Payment, Foster Care Allowance, Housing Assistance Payment and the Bereaved Parent Grant. This helps students to retain the benefit of the above payments without the payments impacting on their grant rate.
• The Scheme also has a higher grant rate known as the special rate of grant for low income students whose household income is under a certain income threshold (c€27,400) and where the household income includes an eligible long-term payment. Included in the list of eligible long-term payments are Guardian’s payment; Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension; and Foster Care and Aftercare Allowances or Adoption allowances where paid in respect of the applicant.