Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason students applying for back to education and student support are allowed a maximum break from the academic system of one year; if an exemption can be made for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal whose personal family circumstances prevented them from proceeding with their studies for a period of more than one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47829/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC.

Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority.

An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal.

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