Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1441: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will carry out its duty to instruct local authorities and VECs on proper graduation of college courses; when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their college grant and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48035/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the Schemes a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously. The Schemes also provide that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification. Notwithstanding this condition, candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are progressing to a further postgraduate course which represents progressions from the level at which the previous postgraduate qualification(s) was attained, may be deemed eligible for grant aid. My Department has provided clarification to the local authorities and VECs on establishing progression at post-graduate level for the purposes of grant eligibility.

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.