Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Department contacted the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to establish if this conferred a similar right on her child. That Department confirmed that although the mother had been granted naturalisation, this did not extend to the candidate, as an individual needs to apply for and be granted naturalisation in his or her own right. I understand evidence has not been provided as to the applicant's own immigration residency status and the Department of Education and Science has advised Kildare VEC that it should request the candidate to provide evidence of the grounds of his residency-immigration status in the State in order to establish if he meets the nationality requirements of the scheme. On receipt of this confirmation, Kildare VEC will assess the application for a maintenance grant.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not open to the Minister, the Department of Education and Science or the assessing authorities to depart from the terms and conditions of the maintenance grant schemes in individual cases.

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