SUSI grant rules
Michael Healy-Rae asked for a review of SUSI grant thresholds and for the pandemic unemployment payment not to count as reckonable income for students. The Taoiseach said the PUP had helped many students, some SUSI improvements had already been made, and further changes would be considered closer to the budget.
The extension of the pandemic unemployment payment to students has been a very welcome benefit to thousands of students throughout the country, understandably, because they would have lost the work opportunities which would have helped them to fund their way through college. There have been some improvements to the SUSI scheme under this year's budget. There will also be a once-off additional increase for those currently on SUSI grants to help them through this year. As for the next academic year, that will fall due for consideration closer to next year's budget.