Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students refused the Student Universal Support Ireland grants during 2014 to 2015 who were Irish citizens refused on habitual residency grounds. [31522/15]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1290. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which Student Universal Support Ireland assesses whether a person is habitually resident here; and the standard of proof it requires. [31523/15]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the legal basis Student Universal Support Ireland is using to apply a requirement that an Irish citizen must be habitually resident for the purpose of receiving SUSI grant assistance. [31524/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1289 to 1291, inclusive, together.

The 3 out of 5 years residency requirement is set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011.

SUSI has advised that the number of students refused grants during 2014 to 2015 who were Irish citizens on habitual residency grounds was 27.

The following documents may be used to prove evidence of residence in the State, the EU, EEA or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years:

- Evidence that the applicant sat the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams in Ireland; or equivalent school exams in the EU, EEA or Switzerland. This must have been in the last five years;

- A letter from a school principal in Ireland, the EU, EEA or Switzerland confirming attendance at a school. This must have been in the past five years;

- Social Welfare Statements or equivalents from the EU, EEA or Switzerland dated for the last five years;

- Utility Bills;

- Registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board or equivalent from the EU,EEA or Switzerland;

- P60's

- Bank Statements with activity in the country of residence.

Under Section 20 of the Act, evidence of residence in the State can only be accepted in respect of periods of lawful presence in the State. Applicants cannot derive any benefit from a period of unlawful presence in the State.