Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if approval will be granted for a SUSI application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60232/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The student referred to by the Deputy received a letter from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) on 27 May 2025 confirming an initial award of the full Non-adjacent rate of Maintenance grant, together with 100% Student Contribution/100% Tuition Fees, in respect of year two of the three-year Level 7 undergraduate course.

However, upon contacting the student's college to verify registration, SUSI was informed that the student was repeating year one of her course in the 2025/26 academic year. As a result, the student did not meet the progression criteria, and was not eligible for funding.

On 25 October 2025, the student contacted the SUSI Support Desk to request a review of her application under the Exceptional Circumstances provision. The application was subsequently reviewed, and on 28 October 2025, SUSI emailed the student requesting evidence of the Exceptional Circumstances. A follow-up letter was issued to the student on 30 October 2025 requesting evidence of their previous education.

Once all the requested documentation has been received, SUSI will complete the review and the applicant will be advised in writing of the outcome.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine the case for a review of the limits for the SUSI grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60282/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware that cost of living challenges continue to impact students and their families, including those in the middle-income bracket who may fall just outside eligibility for grant assistance.

The Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), provides grant assistance to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income, before deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.

The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending patterns in different households if outgoings were also to be assessed.

Students this academic year are benefiting from Budget 2025 which increased all income thresholds to avail of a student grant including increasing all standard rate thresholds by at least 15%.

In addition as part of Budget 2026, I have:

• Reduced the student contribution charge permanently by €500 commencing this academic year which will benefit c108,000 students.

• Increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates for students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution. Importantly, c30,000 students this academic year will see a pro-rata increase of between €111 to €239.

• Permanently increased the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 benefitting over 2000 students.

From September 2026 Students will see the full benefit of non-adjacent maintenance grant rate increases with the:

• Non-Adjacent Special Rate increasing by €350.

• Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate increasing by €430.

• Bands 2-4 Non-Adjacent Rates increasing by €200.

The income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.

The income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant will increase from €115,000 to €120,000. Combined with the permanent reduction in the student contribution charge, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.

The holiday earnings exemption was also increased from €7,925 to €8,424 for the 2025/26 academic year.

The Deputy will appreciate that any amendments or extension to the student grant legislation have financial implications and need to be considered in the context of overall budgetary constraints and the large number of competing demands on available funding.

Students may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.