Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
238. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has only been approved for €255 of the non-adjacent maintenance grant, despite the fact that the joint income of their parents less universal social charge is €42,800 and if same can be reviewed [36573/13]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant or the rate of grant to be awarded is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. I understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to the Deputy is a renewal student for the 2013/14 academic year. SUSI have also confirmed that the student was issued with a grant award letter on the 2nd July 2013 advising him that he was eligible to receive a 25% Non-Adjacent Rate of grant. Budget 2013 provided for a 3% reduction in grant income thresholds in 2013 grant scheme 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.
