Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
186. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was refused SUSI grant based on residency; if the person's history and circumstances were taken into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23557/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least three years out of the five year period ending on the day before the start of his/her approved course of study. The Free Fees Initiative (FFI) has a similar residency requirement.
However, for student grant purposes, it is possible for students who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.
Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency requirements apply in other EU Member States.
