John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 609: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the grants available to a student to complete a fifth year of study at a college (details supplied); if students who have obtained the grant for the first four years of the course through the higher education grant system are automatically entitled to the grant for the fifth year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28395/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A grant is payable for the normal duration of an approved course and is renewed annually subject to ongoing compliance with the terms and conditions of the third level grant schemes.

Under the Higher Education Grant Scheme, the college referred to the Deputy has the following two courses approved for grant aid, both of which are of four years duration.

BComm (Hons) combined with NUI Diploma in International Hotel Management [4 years], BBS in International Hotel Management - Honours [4 years].

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