Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of stamp four applicants refused higher education grants and on what basis by vocational education committees in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the maintenance grant schemes, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment. The decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC as appropriate.

These bodies do not collect data on the number of applicants refused a grant on the basis of Stamp 4. An individual can be refused a grant for other reasons under the nationality requirement of the Schemes.

It is the candidate's nationality or his/her immigration status in the State that determines whether or not he/she meets the nationality requirement outlined in the student grant schemes. Possession of a 'Stamp 4' does not automatically satisfy the nationality requirement of the grant schemes.