Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
893. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51627/26]
View answerThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which is administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded 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 decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
Article 22 of the Student Grant Scheme 2026 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.
An official from my Department has advised that SUSI received the student's application on the 15th March 2026. SUSI issued letters to the student on March 24th, April 30th and May 21st requesting a letter from Revenue confirming that the applicant’s father was exempt from filing a return in 2025, or a copy of his Statement of Liability for 2025 (whichever applies). These remain outstanding and once SUSI receive these documents, they will be queued for review by SUSI’s assessment team.
I trust this clarifies the situation and I wish the student well in their studies.
