Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
563. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the holiday earnings eligible for deduction from reckonable income to €13,104; if he will amend the dependent brackets for SUSI to better support students which is a key ask of an organisation (details supplied) in it's pre-Budget 2025 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37928/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address the high cost of attending higher education.
The Deputy will be aware that, on Monday 16th September, I published the third Annual Options Paper which sets out various possible measures across various sectors to address the cost of education including options in relation to holiday earnings and amendments to the dependent children increments. I will have regard to all options set out in this paper when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.
The Deputy will appreciate that the funding for allocation for the Student Grant Scheme is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments.
