4163. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a student (details supplied) was awarded a SUSI grant band 4 rather than band 1, that was received in prior years, despite no material increase in income and multiple allowable deductions; if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58466/26]

4212. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a student (details supplied) was awarded a SUSI grant band 4 rather than band 1, that was received in prior years, despite no material increase in income and multiple allowable deductions; if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58467/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4163 and 4212 together.

The 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.

An official from my Department has advised that the applicant has been awarded the Part Non-Adjacent Standard Band 4 Rate of Maintenance Grant, together with 100% Student Contribution/Tuition Fees, whichever applies.

To be eligible for the Band 1 rate of grant in the 2026/27 academic year the total household reckonable income must not be in excess of €47,010.

There has been an increase in both the parent and the applicant’s incomes from employment in each year of assessment (Reference periods of 2023 & 2024 for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years).

In the 2026/27 academic year the total reckonable income in the reference period of 2025 including deductions in respect of the applicant’s holiday earnings, the parent’s pension contributions not deducted at source and flat rate expenses was €52,511.

SUSI advised that they received an appeal request from the applicant on 1 May 2026 where the grounds for appeal were that the parent’s pension contributions were not taken into consideration. It was determined from its data-sharing agreement with Revenue and the 2025 Employment Detail Summary and Statement of Liability documents previously provided that pension deductions had been deducted at source by the parent’s employer and therefore could not be deducted again. The appeal was refused and a letter was sent to the applicant on 6 May 2026 advising them of the refusal, and their right to appeal to the Students Grants Appeals Board within 30 days of the date on the letter.

The applicant could have appealed to the Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board) within the statutory timeframe of 30 days, which could be extended to a further 60 days under exceptional circumstances. The applicant submitted an appeal to the Board outside of the statutory timeframes outlined. The Board have no discretion to deviate from the statutory timelines of the Student Support Act 2011.