Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a grant application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23401/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority - i.e. the Local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of 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 assessing 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. My Department understands that the candidate referred to by the Deputy pursued a FETAC level 5 course for the academic year 2007/2008, and is currently pursuing a further course at FETAC level 5. Under the provisions of the PLC Scheme the candidate in question is ineligible to receive any funding for the current course as it does not offer progression from the course previously pursued.