Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was not awarded the tuition fee grant when in this case the applicant had satisfied all of the conditions for such award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy for the 2012/13 academic year was awarded a postgraduate fee contribution based on the terms and conditions of the scheme. Maintenance support is not available for students entering postgraduate courses in the academic year 2012/13. Students entering approved postgraduates courses who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant will be eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant Scheme.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI. In addition to the student grant support is also available to students under the Student Assistance Fund which assists students in third-level institutions in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students.
