SUSI must show flexibility for families affected by delayed ACRES payments – Lynch

SUSI needs to show flexibility and common sense to students and families whose college grant applications may be negatively affected by delays in farming payments, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Eileen Lynch said that she has been contacted by a number of farm families who are concerned that the timing of their the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme ACRES payment could put their children’s student grant in jeopardy.

Senator Lynch said: “Whilst most of the ACRES payments have now been paid, families have been under financial pressure because of the delays with the payment. They should not have the added stress of worrying that this delay could mean their son or daughter will lose out on a SUSI grant. That would be deeply unfair.”

The Cork Senator explained that SUSI assesses grants based on income from the previous year, but delayed payments could make it appear that a family’s income is higher than it actually is when the money eventually lands.

“This is not a reflection of the real financial situation these families are facing.  In many cases, these payments are already spoken for to cover outstanding bills and rising input costs on farms. They are not spare income. You could have a situation whereby you receive two ACRES payments in one year, but they still relate to separate years.”

Senator Lynch has urged SUSI to take a practical and compassionate approach when dealing with applicants caught in this situation.

“I am asking SUSI to work with the Department of Agriculture to put a process in place that recognises the reality for farm families. No student should lose out on their chance to access education because of a payment delay outside of their control,” she concluded.