Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
348. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason when calculating distance to college to determine adjacent or non-adjacent grant rates, Student Universal Support Ireland is using old regional roads which do not correspond to the normal route taken, encouraging persons to avoid roads with tolls (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47103/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy the application is currently being reviewed and the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2012. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines.
The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply and that, in determining the shortest most direct route, the relevant awarding authority shall establish:
- the method for measuring a route;
- the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route.
The awarding authority's criteria for measuring a route must be accessible, particularly to the applicant, the appeals officer and the Student Grants Appeals Board.
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 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 Grants Appeals Board. The appeals form is available to download at http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf.
