Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has sought a report from the new Student Grant Appeals Board since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31261/22]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an oversight agreement has been put in place between his Department and the Student Grants Appeals Board in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016; if not, if any exemption has been sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31262/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.

The Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board) was established under Section 25 of the Student Support Act 2011 and under Section 21(4)(a) is independent in the performance of its functions.Appointments to the Board are in compliance with The Public Appointments Service (PAS) process.

Under Section 25 (4) of the Student Support Act, the Appeals Board shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of ordinary members as shall by determined by the Minister but which in any case shall not exceed 11 persons.

The term of office of the Appeals Board is for 5 years and the current Board commenced in September 2021.The current Board comprises of a Chairperson and 6 ordinary members. 

Under Section 27 of the Student Support Act, the Appeals Board shall submit a report of its activities to the Minister at such intervals and in such manner and form as the Minister directs.

It is my intention to seek reports from the new Student Grant Appeals Board during the course of their term.  All governance requirements will be considered by the Board in consultation with the Department.