Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The objective of the student grant scheme is to help as many students as possible obtain one qualification at each level of study. Given the level of demand on the student grant budget from first-time students and those who are progressing with their studies to a higher level, there are no plans at present to change the arrangements in place. Eligibility for the back to education allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection. It should be noted that out of a total of 92,000 applications for the 2013-14 academic year, assessed by Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, on 18 February last, some 1% of students were refused on the basis that they had previously completed courses at the same level.

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