Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 283: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if due consideration will be given in respect of the case of person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in relation to a higher education grant in view of the fact that this person is an applicant for citizenship, the fact that the application process for citizenship now stands at 30 months and the undue hardship involved for non-EU families. [44346/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Any decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances. If an individual applicant considers that she or he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of maintenance grant awarded is not the correct one, she or he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority. If an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority, but remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.