Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Higher Education Grants

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1060: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide details of any financial support that will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1179/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt 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.

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1061: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the statutory provision that allows a local authority to refuse an application for a higher education maintenance grant to an undergraduate on the basis that they have a previous primary degree and that person did not previously benefit from a higher education maintenance grant. [1201/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The statutory framework for the Higher Education Grant Scheme, as set out in the Local authorities (Higher Education Grants Acts, 1969 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education.

The statutory framework provides that "persons comply with such other requirements as may from time to time be prescribed by the Minister" (Section 2(1)(d) of the 1968 Act).

Under the terms of the Third Level Student Support Schemes, a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously.

The objective of the student grant schemes is to assist as many students as possible in obtaining one undergraduate degree and in progressing, where appropriate, to postgraduate studies.

There are no plans at present to change the current arrangements. Any such proposal would have to be considered in the light of existing resources and other competing demands in the education sector.

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