Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2015

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Questions (531)

Seán Fleming

Question:

531. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider the rules regarding the distance from a third level college for students to receive a higher level of maintenance grant, in view of the fact that many persons in the Portlaoise and County Laois area are receiving a lower grant as a result of the change in distance from Saint Patrick's College, Carlow, and Carlow Institute of Technology, whereas others, who are just a short distance further away, are receiving a higher grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9361/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The decision on eligibility for a student grant, and the rate applicable, is a matter for the grant awarding authority.

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 the awarding authority. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an awarding authority 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 current qualifying distance for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, at 45km, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis. There are no plans at present to revise the distance criteria.