John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a higher education grant was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if an appeal will be arranged in their case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39333/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The decision on eligibility for third level or further education 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. It appears that no such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy.

My Department contacted Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, concerning the grant application for the student referred to by the Deputy. As they were not the deciding authority in this case they advised her to apply to Kilkenny County Council to have her application assessed.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a grant application for a PLC course was refused by the Vocational Education Committee to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the change in circumstances notified to the VEC will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39334/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department contacted County Kilkenny VEC, the assessing authority in this case. My Department was advised that the student referred to by Deputy did not qualify for a grant for the 2006/07 academic year as the reckonable income exceeded the prescribed income limits for the 2006/2007 academic year. The VEC have also advised that to date no additional information in regard to a change in circumstances have been received.