Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost incurred by his Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7386/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The principal means tested scheme provided under the aegis of my Department is the student grant scheme.

While the Department is not involved directly in means testing for student grants, means testing is carried out on its behalf by, currently, 66 grant awarding authorities. Eligibility for a student grant is not solely based on means. Eligibility is tested against a range of qualification criteria including means, nationality, residency, course progression etc. as required by the relevant student support scheme and regulations.

Means assessment costs for student grants are not apportioned to the individual test elements.