Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when higher education grant will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3316/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. No such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy. If an applicant considers that he or she has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not correct, he or she may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where an applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, the local authority or VEC may in exceptional circumstances seek clarification on issues from my Department.