Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2012
76 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding proof of residence for a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13301/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority — the local authority or the VEC. From the details supplied, it appears the Deputy is referring to proof of independent residency to allow a student to be assessed as an independent mature student for grants purposes i.e. to be assessed without reference to parental income.
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. An independent mature student is defined as a mature student who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents or legal guardian from the October preceding entry or re-entry to further or higher education. In order to establish a candidate's status as an independent mature student, documentary evidence is required as proof of a candidate's address from 1 October of the year preceding entry into college.
In considering whether a mature student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant. The documentary evidence normally required includes utility bills, such as telephone, gas or electricity bill, evidence of registration with the Private ResidentialTenancies Board or official documentation received at the address, for example, from a Government Department.
In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible to produce such proofs of residence in the relevant period for demonstrable reasons, the awarding authority may, at its discretion, agree to accept other documentary evidence that provides an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period. Individual circumstances should be discussed by an applicant with his or her grant awarding authority. The awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof is submitted by the grant applicant in establishing eligibility under all aspects of the schemes.
