Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a change of circumstances in respect of a self employed person (details supplied) in County Kerry for 2011 will be taken into account for the processing of their application for a top up grant for their children who are higher education grant recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25754/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.

The eligibility of an applicant, or the level of the grant awarded, may be re-assessed by the awarding authority in the event of a change of circumstances in the academic year. The applicant should in the first instance contact the relevant awarding body and notify them of the change in circumstances.

The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including those relating to residence, reckonable income, nationality and previous academic attainment, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant or what level of grant would be appropriate. 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 awarding authority. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or the independent appeals board as appropriate by submitting an appeal form clearly outlining the grounds for the appeal.