Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that. He indicated that an exception may be allowed. He also stated that a student who leaves a course mid-year may be eligible for a partial refund of contribution from the relevant higher education institution. Would that effectively set students who would not be eligible for a SUSI grant back to point zero? I note that SUSI has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances. Will the Department be advising SUSI to consider circumstances related to Covid-19 as exceptional? Do we just have to hope it will address matters on a case-by-case basis? Will the Department be stating this year has been exceptional owing to Covid and that this could have had a major impact on students' experience?