Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2012

Thursday, 20 September 2012

Ceisteanna (42)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

42. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding students who have accepted places on the Social Work (Graduate Entry) L501 programme at the University of Ulster, which is a FETAC Grade 8 course; if he will acknowledge that participation in this course requires a level 8 qualification and to acknowledge that it consequently is a progression from the Level 8 qualification; if he will advise on the way students on the programme should pursue funding support from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39951/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The decision on eligibility for new student grant applications from the 2012/13 academic year is a matter for the new centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a maintenance grant.

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 SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.