Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria to be eligible for grant funding under the SUSI application based on stamp 4 on a students GNIB card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The nationality requirements for the student grant scheme are set out in section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2016. To qualify for a student grant, it is the candidate's nationality or his/her immigration status in the State that determines whether or not he/she meets the nationality requirement outlined in the Act and Regulations. Possession of a 'stamp 4' does not automatically satisfy the nationality requirement of the student grant legislation.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and on the stamp that is awarded where permission to remain is sanctioned. I understand a 'stamp 4' can be awarded to categories of applicants other than those specified in the Student Support Act and the Student Support Regulations.

Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2016 provides for a review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of a change of circumstances in the academic year, including a change in relation to a student's nationality or immigration status. Where a student acquires Irish citizenship by naturalisation, or is granted one of the permission to remain criterion provided for in the Act or Regulations during the course of their studies, he/she may apply to SUSI to have his/her application re-assessed.

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.