Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a course (details supplied) will be recognised by Student Universal Support Ireland as eligible for grant purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38604/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The decision on eligibility for new student grant applications for the 2014/15 academic year is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).

Where a grant application is made in respect of a course being pursued in an institution in the State, such as Stage Management and Technical Theatre in The Lir (National Academy of Dramatic Arts) Trinity College, it is a matter for SUSI to satisfy itself regarding the status of the institution and as to whether the course and institution meet the terms of the scheme.

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 a grant - this is a matter for SUSI to determine. However I would point out that under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution.

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.

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