Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 509: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if review can be undertaken in the application for an educational grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37954/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As previously pointed out it is understood from Kildare VEC that the candidate referred by the Deputy was not eligible for the maintenance grant as the reckonable income in this case exceeded the prescribed income limit for the 2005 tax year as set out in the grant scheme. If the candidate referred to by the Deputy has any further information to add to the initial grant application it should be forwarded to Kildare VEC directly. If an individual applicant considers that he/she has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, he/she may appeal to Kildare VEC. Where an individual 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 case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, the VEC may, itself, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department. However, it is not open to me, or my Department, to depart from the terms of the maintenance grant scheme regardless of the circumstances.