Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will amend the higher education grant scheme by removing the condition which requires mature students, of such maturity, to be resident here for the 12 months period prior to commencing post graduate courses particularly where the applicant goes abroad to further their experience in their chosen profession as is the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6722/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The condition in the maintenance grant schemes relating to residency requires, in the case of an 'Independent Mature Candidate' the candidate himself/herself must have been resident in the administrative area of a Local Authority from 1st October of the previous year.

I regret that in cases, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, where an Independent Mature Candidate is not ordinarily resident in the State from the specified date, 1st October of the previous year. he/she is ineligible for financial assistance.

The Local Authorities have discretion to waive the residency requirement in exceptional circumstances.

The decision on eligibility for a grant is a matter for the Local Authority, however, if an applicant is not satisfied that the terms of the scheme have been applied correctly in respect of their application they may submit a written appeal to the assessing body.

It is not open to me, or to my Department, to depart from the terms of the schemes in individual cases.