Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the exceptional circumstances that would enable local authorities to have the discretion to waive the residence requirement for the third level maintenance grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The residency clause under the Higher Education Grants Scheme require, in the case of a candidate under 23, that the candidate's parents, or guardians, have been resident in the administrative area of a Local Authority from 1st October of the previous year. In the case of an independent mature candidate the candidate himself/herself must have been resident in the administrative area of a Local Authority, as appropriate from 1st October of the previous year.

Under Clause 4.1.1 of the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Local Authorities have discretion to waive the residency requirement in exceptional circumstances. As this is a discretionary provision available to the local authorities, it is a matter for the local authorities to determine on a case by case basis, whether or not it is appropriate to waive the residency requirement in exceptional circumstances.