Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
444. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department plans on reviewing a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2025/2026 academic year as specified under the Student Grant Scheme 2025 is as follows:
1. Students must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income (net of income disregards and Increase for Qualified Child) must not exceed €27,400 for undergraduate students, and
3. As at 31st December 2024, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
If a student's circumstances change and they are awarded an eligible payment in the future they may request an internal review by emailing the SUSI Support Desk at support@susi.ie.
In terms of other supports available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). Students can apply for the SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs, medical costs and books/class materials. This Fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners website: www.revenue.ie
Student Grant Schemes are reviewed on an annual basis and as part of this process the list of eligible long-term payments for the special rate of maintenance grant are also reviewed. Any expansion to a scheme would require consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Deputy will appreciate that the funding allocation for student supports is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands.
