Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 5 April 2017, the status of a response to a person (details supplied) from his Department; if this application will be accepted on the basis of force majeure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the statutory based Student Grants Scheme, decisions regarding late applications are matters to be determined by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).

My officials have made further enquiries with SUSI in respect of this applicant and have been advised that the position as set out in PQ response number 206 of 5 April 2017 remains unchanged i.e. the applicant did not renew her application before the priority closing date of 8 July 2016 or the final closing date of 3 November 2016.

Students wishing to make an application after the final closing date of 3 November 2016 must satisfy one of the following criteria in order to be granted access to make a late application:

1. The course started after the online closing date;

2. The applicant had a change of circumstance after the online closing date, regarding one or more of the following:

- Reckonable income;

- Number of dependent children;

- Relevant persons commencing an approved course;

- Normal residence;

- Nationality or immigration status; and/or

- Change of course or institution.

3. The applicant experienced extenuating circumstances that adversely affected her ability to make an application prior to the online closing date of 3 November 2016 e.g. a close bereavement or medical condition.

I understand that the applicant has not satisfied SUSI that any of the conditions necessary to make a late application apply in this instance.