Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the case of a person (details supplied). [3063/11]

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.

Apart from the funding provided through the student grant schemes, the Department also provides funding to approved third level institutions to operate a Student Assistant Fund to assist students in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available from the Student Access Officer at the student's college.