I understand that my Department received a general query from Limerick County Council with regard to treatment of way leave compensation for the purpose of calculation of reckonable means under the student grant schemes. The position as outlined in the application form and guidance notes is that disposal of assets and rights should be included in calculating reckonable income for grant purposes.
The Deputy will appreciate, however, that the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.