Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if provision will be made for those who may be refused Student Universal Support Ireland grants following the delays and may then want to defer their courses based on that decision, even though the official deadline for deferral decisions has now passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2427/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Decisions on course deferrals are an issue between the student and the relevant higher education institution. Institutions have different rules on the particular circumstances that may be considered as reasons for a deferral. As the Deputy will appreciate, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies. As such, the governing authority of each institution is responsble for the day-to-day operational affairs, including conditions governing deferral of places.

It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the practice of individual institutions on deferrals. I would however say that individuals, for a variety of reasons and circumstances, consider deferring their courses.