Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the refusal of higher education grants in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40332/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the first named student referred to by the Deputy, following an appeal to the SUSI Appeals Officer the original decision of the awarding authority was upheld and a decision letter issued on 23rd May 2013 stating that the student was ineligible to receive a grant. This student also applied for a grant for the academic year 2013/14. The application will be further reviewed when the outstanding documentation has been received.
In the case of the second named student referred to by the Deputy, following an appeal to the SUSI Appeals Officer the original decision of the awarding authority was upheld and a decision letter issued on 20th September 2013 stating that the student was ineligible to receive 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 appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his or her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from www.studentfinance.ie.
