Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2009
1122 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the decision taken by County Louth Vocational Education Committee to award a full adjacent third level trainee maintenance grant to the value of €1,370 to a person (details supplied) in County Louth, rather than a non-adjacent grant of €3,420; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33206/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the student support schemes, maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or the non-adjacent rate. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grant holder's normal residence is 24 Km or less from the college which he/she is registered. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases, including all eligible mature students.
The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the Local Authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the assessing authority, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.
