Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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791. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available to erstwhile legally resident Student Universal Support Ireland applicants who are deemed to be ineligible because they have not met the residency conditions, as they have worked overseas for a number of years as unpaid volunteers doing charitable work in some of the world's most deprived places; when they may be deemed to be legally resident again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28823/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In order to be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14(4) of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that they have been resident in the State for a specified period of time i.e. for at least 3 years of the 5 years on the day before the relevant date. The relevant date for determination of whether a person meets this requirement is the date on which a year of study commences on an approved course of study. It is possible for a student, who did not meet the residency requirements for the student grant scheme at the commencement of their studies to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.

I have no plans to change the current arrangements.