Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [49839/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy for the 2013/14 academic year was refused. SUSI has confirmed that the student is undertaking a course of study at a lower level than that previously pursued. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. Under the scheme, students who have previously attended, but not completed a course of study are required to complete an equivalent period of study on an approved course before being eligible to be considered for a grant.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted 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 relevant appeal form is available to download from .

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a student grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49857/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy was awarded on the 4th October, 2013. Students get paid as soon as possible after they submit their bank accounts details and their institutions confirm their attendance. SUSI is awaiting confirmation from the applicant's college before payment can commence. I understand that SUSI has contacted the applicant's college on six occasions since October.