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Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Questions (124)

Mark Ward

Question:

124. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that a SUSI applicant who that was abandoned by one parent after a history of domestic violence can be expected to provide documents from the absent parent in order to be eligible for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6358/22]

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Written answers

The decision on eligibility for student grant assistance is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

SUSI is mindful of the difficult circumstances affecting individuals applying for a student grant and implements arrangements to sensitively accommodate circumstances including but not confined to family estrangement, differing marital circumstances of dependent applicants’ parents and exceptional circumstances impacting on a student’s attendance on their course.

As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by SUSI, to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.

The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application it is not possible to comment any further, however SUSI is happy to investigate this application and share a response with the Deputy. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.

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 may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe. Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

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