Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if under the student grant scheme 2012 there are any exceptions to the rules as set out under Article 15(7)(b)(ii) which states that having attended but not completed a level six course you must complete the equivalent period of study before being eligible for a grant; Article 12(6) which states you must have a five year break in studies prior to entering a course before you can be assessed as a second chance student and is there any discretion allowed if the rules would cause unfairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2497/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 provides awarding authorities with discretion to waive the provisions of Article 15(7)(b)(ii) in exceptional circumstances and consider funding for a repeat period of study, in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister.

The guidelines include the nature of the exceptional circumstances as documented by the applicant, when they occurred and the period of time over which they continued, how the circumstances impacted on the applicant's ability to participate in their course of study, take exams or submit projects on time and whether the circumstances happened to the applicant or a third party.

There is no discretion for awarding authorities in relation to the provisions of Article 13(6), which is the relevant governing article in the 2012 student grant scheme for second chance students.

The intention of this article is to focus resources on genuine second chance and mature students. The five years will ensure that the emphasis is, as intended, on facilitating these students to return to education and I have no plans to change this.