Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the basis on which a higher education grant has been refused in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19498/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a higher education grant will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19519/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 181 together.

The decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority as appropriate. 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.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority 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. No appeal has been submitted to date in this case.