Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 634: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has been deemed a dependant of their parents for higher education grant purposes but has been refused by County Wexford Vocational Education Committee; if he will take steps to ensure that they are not deprived of the grant to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4473/10]

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.