James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 1141: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria that a person (details supplied) in County Longford must meet to qualify for a third level maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The candidate referred to by the Deputy is seeking funding under the maintenance grants schemes for a repeat period of study. Clause 7.2 of the Higher Education Maintenance Grant Scheme States; "A Grant is tenable for the normal duration of the approved course and is renewable annually subject to satisfactory attainment and the approval of the Local Authority, subject to the terms of Clause 7.6. Grants may not be paid in respect of a repeat year of study on the same course. A Local Authority shall have discretion to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness."

Where funding in respect of a repeat period of study at the same level is awarded on the basis of exceptional circumstances, such as serious certified illness, it would be where the student himself/herself has suffered from a serious illness that has directly impacted on their ability to successfully complete the period concerned.

Officials of my Department received an appeal from the candidate referred to by the Deputy and upheld the decision of Longford County Council.