Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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497. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is not entitled to receive Student Universal Support Ireland grant funds, despite being decidedly close to the distance required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10487/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I understand that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy that the appeal was considered by the Student Grants Appeals Board on 13th January 2015 and that the student was advised of their decision in writing.

The current qualifying distance for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, at 45 km, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis. There are no plans at present to revise the distance criteria.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.