Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

As indicated on Committee Stage, I do not propose to accept this amendment as a residency requirement outlined in the legislation, and which was introduced in the student grant schemes in the 2010-11 academic year is set out definitively in section (14)(4)(a) and (14)(4)(b). I am advised that this should be specified in primary rather than secondary legislation.

The main purpose of the requirement, as outlined, is to ensure that persons applying for grants will have more established links with and integration in the State. However, it is envisaged that this change will, in many instances, provide greater flexibility for students who may be returning from abroad.

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