Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a third level student grant will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois after Student Universal Support Ireland informed the applicant in August that the college and the course were approved and SUSI have now changed the criteria and removed this from the website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54403/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I understand that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, her student grant application was unsuccessful and that she appealed the decision to the appeals officer in SUSI, its original decision was upheld and the student was notified on 3rd December 2012. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by SUSI, and remains of the view that SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.

The student grant scheme has never extended to postgraduate study outside of the island of Ireland. This is reflected in the relevant governing legislation and the scheme set down by way of statutory instrument. A grant awarding authority does not have the power to amend the scheme. The student may be eligible for tax relief on their tuition fees. Details on this relief are available at www.revenue.ie.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a grant application will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54419/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that further supporting documentation was received from the student referred to by the Deputy on the 24th November 2012 and that her application will be reviewed shortly. SUSI will contact the student directly in relation to the outcome.