Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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243. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant in view of the successful outcome of an appeal to the social welfare appeals office to confirm that the family was in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20258/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant. The decision on eligibility for the special rate of maintenance grant for the students referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authorities, in this case, County Kerry VEC and Kerry County Council.

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. 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 appeals officer decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or the independent appeals board, as appropriate.