Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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625. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address Student Universal Support Ireland’s application of rules preventing young persons estranged from their families from accessing its support; if she is aware of a particular case (details supplied); her views that this is an effective use of the courts system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33983/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of specific details in relation to the case to which he refers, it is not possible for me to comment any further.

Cases of genuine estrangement are relatively rare and almost always will involve exceptional circumstances unique to a particular family situation. In the 2014/15 academic year less than 200 cases of estrangement were identified out of circa 104,000 applications. In the majority of these cases sufficient documentary evidence was provided to prove estrangement.

SUSI accepts the following official documentation from applicants in support of their applications where the issue of estrangement arises:

- Confirmation from TUSLA that a person is currently in their care;

- Letters from social workers who have been dealing with the case, confirming estrangement;

- Court Orders relating to estrangement; and

- Information from the Gardaí in relation to estrangement, generally in the form of reports on specific incidents. Applicants are advised that all evidence of estrangement is reviewed by SUSI management before a decision is made. In the circumstances where an applicant is unable to provide any of the above evidence, SUSI will work with the applicant to see what documentation is available to support his/her application.

There are no plans to change the current arrangements.