Mr. Brian Power:

I thank Ms Bergin. I want to pick up on estrangement which I know is a major issue for a number of members. In the first instance, cases of genuine estrangement are relatively rare. Each situation presents unique and often difficult circumstances. Therefore, the scheme deliberately does not stipulate precisely how the grant awarding authority should satisfy itself that a person meets those criteria. This allows the grant awarding authority sufficient flexibility to assess evidence of irrevocable estrangement in each case. The assessment of a case of estrangement must be carefully considered to ensure there is enough evidence and demonstrate that the exceptional circumstances genuinely exist. The type of evidence required is fully dependent on the applicant's individual circumstances which are often very different from others. We must have evidence to allow the awarding authority to satisfy itself of the conditions of the application for exemption. This is one of the areas where grant awarding authorities have some discretion around the kinds of proof that they accept.

We met with the Union of Students in Ireland and with the Higher Education Authority on this issue. We also met our counterparts in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs because we wanted to link up with them to ensure the messages around this are right and the kind of proofs we are asking for are achievable from an individual's point of view.