Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the requirements for establishing independent residence in respect of mature students under clause four of the higher education grants scheme; his views on such a review in view of the current economic situation and the need for many young graduates to return to college to upskill for the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/09]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria that is used by vocational education committees when determining the bill type which is acceptable as a utility bill when assessing candidates as independent mature candidates; the utility bills that are acceptable when assessing such applications to local VECs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36790/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 589 together.

For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or guardians, dependent mature students or as independent mature students. An independent mature student is defined as a mature student who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents from the October preceding entry to an approved course.

When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the schemes specify that parental income must be taken into account. Independent mature students, on the other hand, are assessed without reference to their parents' income. The reckonable income of an independent mature student is that of the candidate only and of his or her spouse where appropriate.

In order to establish a candidate's status as an independent mature student, documentary evidence is required as proof of a candidate's address from 1st October of the year preceding entry to college. In considering whether a mature student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.

The documentary evidence normally required by a local authority or VEC to establish independent residence includes utility bills, such as telephone, gas or ESB bill, evidence of registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board or official documentation received at the address, for example, from a Government Department. In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible to produce such proofs of residence in the relevant period for demonstrable reasons, the awarding authority may, at its discretion, agree to accept other documentary proofs.

My Department has reviewed the requirements for establishing independent residency and is satisfied that the current practice in this regard is both reasonable and appropriate.