Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1294. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is encountering difficulties in relation to their eligibility to a Student Universal Support Ireland grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31531/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.
The student to which the Deputy refers has appealed the decision to the awarding authority to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. This appeal will be heard within the timeframe set out in the Student Support Act 2011 and the Board will notify the student directly of the outcome of the appeal.
