Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 April 2015
162. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine an anomaly in the higher education grants scheme whereby an applicant who is fostered will be assessed on that person's own income position, while an applicant who is in guardianship will be assessed on that person's guardian's income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13545/15]
View answerIn the case of a fostered applicant it is the State that is offering the protection and care in circumstances where the parents have not been able to, or are unlikely to, provide the care that the child needs. Such students may be assessed as dependent students, with reference to their own income, where they satisfy the conditions of Article 21(3) of the Student Grant Scheme, irreconcilable estrangement.
A student with a guardian appointed under the Guardianship of Children Acts 1964 to 1997 may also be assessed with reference to Article 21(3) where sufficient evidence of irreconcilable estrangement is demonstrated. The instances of estrangement are less likely for this category of student.
