Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Galway regarding an appeal for mature student funding for third level; if so, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person has ascertained a level seven diploma in business without previous grant aid and is currently finishing their level eight degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44860/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has received no appeal from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

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.