John Halligan
Question:321. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in terms of the criteria set down by the student grant scheme, which state that an applicant is judged as having dependent/independent residence from the October prior to their first point of entry into higher education unless they have had a break of three years or more between courses, if an application is made prior to applicants' 23rd birthday they are automatically deemed to be dependent on their parents regardless of their personal situation, if he will clarify if his Department has any plans to review these criteria; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that very many students who are living independently from their parents and who are fully supporting themselves are having their applications refused on the basis that they are dependent on their parents even though the vast majority of them have very clear evidence to the contrary; if he will commit to revising these criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37710/13]
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