College grants and insolvency hardship
Michael Fitzmaurice asks whether college grant assessments account for families whose apparent income is reduced by insolvency debts. The Tánaiste advises raising individual circumstances with the Social Protection Department or Minister.
In light of the insolvency legislation, is the Government working with the Department of Education and Skills? In recent months I have come across many people who are going through the insolvency process. They have sons and daughters whom they will be sending to college. Their overall earnings are above the threshold but the reality is that they earn but €24,000 or €25,000 when everything is subtracted. Is the Government doing something to facilitate these people? Alternatively, will the people in middle Ireland who are going through what I describe be left out such that their sons and daughters will not be able to go to college?
Comment on this
If somebody has a change of circumstances arising from debt issues, it really should be conveyed to the Department of Social Protection when calculating means for grant purposes. There have been no changes in this regard but if the Deputy has some detailed proposals on it, it might be appropriate to raise them with the line Minister or, perhaps, at the committee so as to have a detailed discussion.