Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students in receipt of student grants from vocational education committees on a county basis; the number of students in receipt of student grants from local authorities on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42741/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who have received their student grants from vocational education committees on a county basis; the number of students who have received student grants from local authorities on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42742/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 555 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows and has been supplied to the Department by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. Students and parents should return all necessary supporting documentation as early as possible to assist the awarding bodies to make prompt decisions on entitlement.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the timeframe for the allocation of grants in respect of months when each payment should be received by a student; the provision being made by third level institutions for students whose grant payments are delayed with respect to registration, access to student services and facilities and exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42743/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The process of assessing eligibility for third level grants and the organisation, management and payment of student grants are matters for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies seek to ensure students get decisions on their grant applications and are paid as soon as possible.

The terms of the Higher Education Grants Scheme and the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Scheme for the 2009/10 academic year provide for the payment by the Local Authorities/VECs of each maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible in each term with the individual payable orders being addressed to the grant holder c/c the Bursar's Office of the College.

Students and parents should return all necessary supporting documentation as early as possible to assist the awarding bodies to make prompt decisions on entitlement.

The Higher Education Authority on my behalf have requested institutions to be flexible in respect of the payment of the student services charge for those still awaiting a decision on their grant application.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 557: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow in the allocation of their maintenance top up grant as part of the higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42894/09]

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 her/his case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.

No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.