Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
238. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason behind the refusal of a higher education grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason the person must prove independence from the point of entry into higher education in 2005 and not from re-entering at a higher level in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22200/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the deputy was issued with a decision on the 30/04/2013 advising him that he was ineligible in relation to his grant application for 2012/13 academic year.
The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, 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 SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.
