Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
912. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the decision regarding their SUSI application can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57414/25]
View answerThe 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 whether it arises in the State or not. For the purposes of determining the reckonable income of an applicant, overtime payments earned in the reference period that are not recurring payments shall be deducted.
An official from my Department has advised that the student referred to by the Deputy was awarded the Non-Adjacent Band 2 Part Maintenance rate of grant, together with 100% rate of Student Contribution or 100% Tuition Fees, whichever applies and were advised of this by letter 16 September 2025.
The student submitted an appeal request on 7 October 2025, on the grounds that their mother’s income from employment in 2024 would not recur in the future. Documents submitted with the appeal were deemed sufficient to confirm that a portion of her total income from employment in 2024 was from non-recurring overtime and could be deducted from the total household reckonable income. The total income was re-calculated which made the applicant eligible for the Full Non-Adjacent Standard Maintenance rate of grant, together with 100% rate of Student Contribution or 100% Tuition Fees, whichever applies.
A letter advising the student of the Appeal’s Officer’s decision to award an improved rate of grant was sent to the student on 15 October 2025.
