Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 1702: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grant aid available to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who wishes to pursue a third level course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30164/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Generally, student grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree or equivalent) qualification and are pursuing a second such qualification.

The decision on eligibility for student maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, either the local authority or VEC, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of maintenance grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or 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/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.