Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2012

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Questions (166)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

166. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if for the purposes of determining if a third level student is the required distance from the college to be eligible for the non-adjacent grant, the distance is measured from the persons home to the gates of the college or to the college building the student habitually attends, particularly in view of the size of some of the campuses, the legal and regulatory basis for the method of measuring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41580/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Article 27(3)(a) of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines. These guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution where the approved course takes place should apply and that, in determining the shortest most direct route, the relevant awarding authority shall establish: the method for measuring a route; the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route.

The awarding authority's criteria for measuring a route must be accessible, particularly to the applicant, the appeals officer and the Student Grants Appeals Board.