Written answers

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Department of Education and Skills

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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361. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/18]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Very significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. The purpose of the Student Grant Scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.

Under the Student Grant Scheme, an applicant's class is defined at his/her first point of entry to an approved higher or further education course and this will continue to apply for the duration of his/her studies.

The re-entry provision of the scheme allows mature students who have previously attended an approved course and are now entering an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, to have their status reclassified from dependent to independent student.

I have been advised by SUSI that the student to which the Deputy refers, was assessed and a decision issued last November. Under the Student Support Act 2011, an applicant who is aggrieved by a determination of an awarding authority can appeal to an appeals officer within the statutory time period of 30 days. I have been advised by SUSI that no appeal was made by the student and that he is now outside of the statutory time limit for making an appeal. The Deputy will appreciate that my Department cannot intervene in this statutory process.

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