Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
1049. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will facilitate an appeal in relation to the awarding of a SUSI grant to a person (details supplied) who, due to their being abroad during the allowed appeal period, in line with Teaching Council requirements, has been unable to forward an appeal under the statutory provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39486/23]
View answerA postgraduate fee contribution of €4,000 or a postgraduate fee grant, up to a maximum of €6,270 towards the cost of fees plus a maintenance grant is available to Postgraduate students pursuing an approved course. This is dependent on the level of a student's reckonable income.
To receive the Postgraduate fee grant plus a maintenance grant, students must meet the criteria for the Special Rate of Grant.
Under Section 20 (2), (3) of the Student Support Act 2011 an applicant has 30 days, from the date of notice of the determination of the awarding authority (SUSI), to appeal that determination to the SUSI Appeals Officer. This period may be extended by a further 30 days under Section 20 (4) of the Act if the Appeals Officer is satisfied that the applicant has given reasonable cause to do so.
In relation to the specific application referred to by the Deputy I have been advised by my officials that the student was first awarded the €4,000 Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant on 25th April 2023.
On 4th May 2023, the student requested an internal review of her application as her father had retired in February 2022. Supporting documents were requested in relation to this and when reviewed it was determined that there was no change to the rate of grant previously awarded.
A Notice of Appeal from the applicant was received on 4th August 2023. As the appeal was not submitted within the statutory timeframe of 60 days from the date of the awarding authority's decision of 25th April 2023, the Appeals Officer was unable to accept it as an appeal. The applicant was notified of this in a letter sent to them on 8th August 2023.
Please be advised that the awarding authority does not have any discretion to extend the time period beyond that allowed for in the Act.
