Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2005
322 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the circumstances outlined by a person (details supplied) in respect of third level maintenance grant; if it will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8362/05]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except in exceptional cases where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. The position in the case referred to by the Deputy remains the same as outlined in my previous parliamentary response to the Deputy of 10 February in that, to date, it appears that no such advice or instruction has been sought in relation to the student concerned.
If an individual applicant considers that he or she has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, he or she may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may itself, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department.
