Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
66. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision in their appeal for a Student Universal Support Ireland grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/14]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy was advised that she must complete an equivalent period of study before being eligible to be considered for funding under the Student Grant Scheme.
The student appealed this decision to SUSI in January 2014, and a letter issued on the 25th February 2014 advising her appeal was unsuccessful and confirming that she is ineligible for funding until the equivalent period of study is completed on her current course. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application in relation to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant. 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 relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf
