Written Answers Nos. 148-167
148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Garda stations sold in the past five years and to date in 2017; the locations of each; the amount obtained for their sale; the Department or agency that oversaw the sale of the Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33179/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the following former Garda stations have been sold by them since 2012 with a total value of €3,228,000 raised for the Exchequer.
|
Former Garda Station |
County |
Sale Amount |
|
2014 |
||
|
Inchigeela |
Cork |
€55,000 |
|
Mallow Road |
Cork |
€260,000 |
|
Lettermore |
Galway |
€63,000 |
|
Cloone |
Leitrim |
€50,000 |
|
Grangemockler |
Tipperary |
€103,000 |
|
Baldwinstown |
Wexford |
€75,000 |
|
Newtowncashel |
Longford |
€50,000 |
|
Ballinure |
Tipperary |
€100,000 |
|
Dundrum |
Tipperary |
€90,000 |
|
Doon |
Limerick |
€50,000 |
|
Finea |
Cavan |
€56,000 |
|
Tullyvin |
Cavan |
€45,000 |
|
Kilmessan |
Meath |
€200,000 |
|
Longwood |
Meath |
€76,000 |
|
Ballymore |
Westmeath |
€55,000 |
|
2015 |
||
|
Rathowen |
Westmeath |
€15,000 |
|
Meelin |
Cork |
€44,500 |
|
Kiltyclogher |
Leitrim |
€58,000 |
|
Crossakiel |
Meath |
€6,000 |
|
Aclare |
Sligo |
€40,000 |
|
Ballywilliam |
Wexford |
€110,000 |
|
Carrigaholt |
Clare |
€105,000 |
|
Kiltealy |
Wexford |
€86,000 |
|
Inistioge |
Kilkenny |
€132,000 |
|
Johnstown |
Kilkenny |
€115,000 |
|
Geashill |
Offaly |
€123,000 |
|
Ballyragget |
Kilkenny |
€141,000 |
|
2016 |
||
|
Ballinakill |
Laois |
€92,000 |
|
Lahardane |
Mayo |
€70,000 |
|
Ballinahowen |
Westmeath |
€20,000 |
|
Labasheeda |
Clare |
€18,500 |
|
Lauragh |
Kerry |
€115,000 |
|
Dromod |
Leitrim |
€142,000 |
|
Churchill |
Donegal |
€62,000 |
|
Easkey |
Sligo |
€65,000 |
|
Ballacolla |
Laois |
€15,000 |
|
Tournafolla |
Limerick |
€42,500 |
|
Ballyfarnon |
Roscommon |
€40,000 |
|
2017 |
||
|
Fenit |
Kerry |
€110,000 |
|
Doochary |
Donegal |
€35,000 |
|
Menlough |
Galway |
€50,000 |
|
Glencolumbkille |
Donegal |
€47,500 |
|
Total |
€3,228,000 |
There was no disposal of former Garda stations during 2012 and 2013.
149. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2 May 2017, following the triggering of Article 50 and the adoption of the EU’s negotiating directives, the Government published a position paper on Brexit. The paper reflects the stated Government priorities of minimising impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.
Following publication of the paper, sectoral Brexit response plans are being prepared by relevant line Departments with responsibility for individual sectors with a view to mitigating emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research and analysis and consultations with stakeholders.
For my Department a key issue is the impact of Brexit on the EU-funded cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG. The programmes are important drivers of regional development in a cross-border context and have allowed a range of Departments and agencies, North and South, to support a variety of cross-border and cross-community projects.
The Government is firmly committed to the successful implementation of the programmes and to successor programmes post-2020. Last October I was able to announce that agreement had been reached with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland on a safeguard clause to Brexit proof funding agreements with programme beneficiaries.
Now that this short-term objective has been achieved, the medium-term objective is to ensure successful implementation of the programmes out to 2020, through a period during which the UK is expected to leave the EU. My longer-term objective is secure agreement for successor programmes post-2020. Work is under way in my Department to address these medium and long term objectives.
150. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has met the trade unions or employer organisations recently. [33012/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary point of contact with representatives of trade unions and employer organisations is through the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). The LEEF meets on a quarterly basis with Government represented by the then Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation. Other Ministers attend depending on the issue and the Taoiseach chairs one meeting a year.
The last meeting was held on Thursday, 11 May and focused on the then Minister for Social Protection's plans for pension reform. Also on the agenda was a standing update on the status of Brexit negotiations.
Outside of the formal structures of the LEEF, I meet a wide range of interest groups on an ongoing basis. In this capacity, I met with ICTU on the 27th of April and IBEC on the 18 January.
151. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 5 July 2017, the appeal options a person has in view of the fact that a re-examination of their application for incremental credit has been rejected; if there is an external appeals process that is independent of his Department; his plans to reform the incremental credit scheme to include other work experiences in applications for credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised post-primary teachers under Circular 29/2007 was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education & Skills and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The scheme for Incremental Credit, as agreed at the Teachers Conciliation Council, makes no provision for an appeal for teaching service.
Regarding other work experience Circular 29/2007 provides for the award of incremental credit in respect of Relevant Non-Teaching experience. Provision is also made for a process to appeal a decision by the Department to refuse an application for incremental credit under the terms of the circular in respect of Relevant Non-Teaching applications only.
Any further changes to the Circular would have to be agreed by the Teachers Conciliation Council, in the first instance.
152. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take for persons that sat their oral Irish examination without preparation for same due to industrial action in their schools at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33183/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consultation with the education partners regarding the Leaving Certificate Oral Tests in Irish (Higher/Ordinary and Foundation Levels), French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Russian, it was agreed that the tests would commence on Monday 27 March, 2017 and finish on Friday 7 April, 2017. This happened without any disruption and my Department has not received any indication that the process was adversely affected by industrial action.
The Leaving Certificate programme is designed to be delivered over a full two years with a considerable degree of flexibility available to schools in how and when the full range of syllabus material is covered. Where loss of class time occurs for any exceptional reason, schools and teachers will seek to ensure that their students are supported in covering all of the necessary course material in order to prepare adequately for examinations. The commitment of our teachers and schools to their students is acknowledged and appreciated in this respect.
The optional oral tests for the Junior Cycle could be taken at any time between 9 January and 10 March, 2017 and again my Department has not received any indication that the process was adversely affected by industrial action.
153. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills when home modifications will be carried out for a person (details supplied); if the application adviser assigned to this person's case has made contact with builders and others that would be contracted to carry out these modifications in view of an occupational therapists report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. The processing of individual applications is a matter for Caranua itself and I have no role in that process. My officials have requested Caranua to examine the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to her as soon as possible.
154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a July provision refusal for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33222/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe extended school year (or July Provision) Grant Scheme provides funding towards an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability and/or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enrolled in recognised schools.
The eligibility criteria for the July Provision Grant Scheme 2017 is set out in the Department's Information Note on the scheme which was published with the application forms and is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
I understand, based on the information supplied in the application form, the student referred to by the Deputy does not qualify for the July Provision Grant Scheme 2017 as she does not have ASD and/or a severe/profound learning disability.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to examine the adequacy of current special education access and funding provision.
In addition the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders was published in July 2016.
In developing this policy advice, the NCSE reviewed the Department's July Provision scheme. The NCSE consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research. The Policy advice is available on the NCSE's website www.ncse.ie.
The policy advice recommends that relevant stakeholders should discuss the development of a national, day activity scheme that provides a structured, safe, social environment for all students with complex special educational needs for one month of the summer holidays.
My Department has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS, the Inspectorate and external representatives to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered and that a timetable for implementation is prepared. The work of the Implementation Group is ongoing.
My officials will engage with officials in the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders in regard to implementing the recommendations in relation to July Provision.
155. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance given by his Department to students with dyslexia sitting the junior certificate and the leaving certificate State exams; if extra time can be given to these students sitting the exams to complete their papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The Commission in this regard operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
156. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to address the fact that school secretaries do not get paid during the summer holidays in view of the fact that this situation is totally unfair and untenable for the secretaries concerned. [33270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in primary and secondary schools. Staff employed on these schemes are paid directly by my Department and are not paid via grant funding. The 1978 and 1979 schemes are being phased out and have been superseded by a more extensive capitation grant scheme.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Capitation-related grants are issued to the majority of primary and post-primary schools to employ such staff. Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs.
Where a school uses the capitation grant funding to employ a secretary, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities. My Department has no plans to develop an alternative scheme for schools to employ secretaries separate to the current system of capitation grant assistance.
Notwithstanding the above, in 2015 my Department agreed to engage with the union side in relation to the pay of school secretaries and caretakers who are employed using grant funding and to enter an arbitration process. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for school secretaries and caretakers comprehended by the terms of the arbitration process and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 for such staff be phased in over the period 2016 to 2019. My Department has recently published circular letter 0025/2017 for voluntary secondary schools and circular letter 0026/2017 for primary schools, setting out the application of the second phase increases of the Arbitrator’s recommendations. The circulars are available at:
Circular 0025/2017: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0025_2017.pdf
Circular 0026/2017: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0026_2017.pdf
The increases recommended by the Arbitrator are binding and must be applied by all schools who employ staff to whom the Arbitrators recommendation applies. The circulars issued by my Department set out the revised rates of grant funding for schools and an application process whereby schools can apply for additional funding in order to enable them to pay the revised rates set out in the circulars.
157. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on correspondence between his Department and the Congregation of Christian Brothers in relation to the sale of the pitches at a school (details supplied); the status of the sale; if he will commit to negotiating with a trust (details supplied) and Congregation of the Christian Brothers regarding the future use and ownership of the sports pitches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Congregation have replied to my Department’s correspondence seeking clarification on a number of points including whether the land in question is, as advised, the subject of a legally-binding agreement with a home builder. In its response, the Congregation has confirmed that the position is that the lands concerned have been sold, that it has signed and exchanged legally-binding contracts with the purchasers and that the congregation cannot reverse this transaction.
158. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will conduct a technical evaluation into the reduction and phasing out of the student contribution charge for third level institutions as per one of the recommendations in the Cassells report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33312/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to determine the feasibility of the recommendation in the Cassells report that third level education be fully publicly funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33313/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
The report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education outlines three main funding options for the future funding of the higher education sector.
These options are currently being considered by the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills. The outcome of the Committee’s deliberations will inform future policy decisions in this area.
Technical work will be undertaken by my Department as necessary in order to address technical issues relating to the funding options that are presented in the report of the Expert Group. However, no policy decisions will be taken in advance of the outcome of the Joint Committee’s deliberations.
160. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the location of special needs assistants, in view of his recent announcement to increase numbers by 975, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33314/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has noted, I recently announced that 975 additional SNAs will be available for allocation to schools from September 2017 which is a 7.5% increase to meet the demands for the new school year.
A total of 13,990 SNA posts will now be available at a gross annual cost of €458 million. This is more SNAs than we have ever had previously and will ensure that all children who qualify for SNA support can continue to receive access to such support.
In total, the number of SNAs available has increased by over 32% since 2011, when 10,575 posts were available.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including SNA support.
Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils rests with the NCSE. In making allocations to schools, the NCSE takes into account the assessed individual needs of all children with identified needs in the school.
The NCSE has advised all schools of their allocations for SNA support for the coming 2017/18 school year. Details of SNA allocations which have been made to schools are available on a county by county and individual school basis, on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
161. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33337/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from publication of the document setting out the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations, work is underway across departments to prepare adaptive Sectoral Brexit Response Plans to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will encompass the following themes:
- Sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- Policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- Prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- Realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- Making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
Adopting a proactive approach from the start, the Irish Government has been comprehensively preparing for this very eventuality. The contingency framework that the Government put in place maps the key issues that will be most important to Ireland in the coming weeks and months. My own Department contributed fully to the preparation of the education components of that framework.
It is my priority to continue to engage actively on a number of fronts in dealing with the impact of Brexit on the Education sector. Consultation has been fundamental to my Department’s preparations for Brexit. We have consulted extensively with our stakeholders. Between December and January both I and Minister of State Halligan have led consultations with stakeholders from right across the higher education, further education and training; and primary and post-primary education sectors. More recently, on the 3rd July 2017, the Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Frances Fitzgerald TD, and I co-hosted a joint stakeholder dialogue on enterprise skills needs and Brexit.
Among the key issues identified in these consultations are Brexit's likely impact on the future of the Common Travel Area and its implications for students, teachers, academic staff and researchers; mutual recognition of qualifications; our enterprise skills base; UK/Ireland research collaboration and partnerships between education institutions and enterprise; as well as the implications for EU funding for research and the impact on EU funding programmes such as Horizon2020, PEACE IV and Erasmus+.
All of these issues will be factored in to my Department’s overall approach to future discussions and negotiations and our input to Government's preparations for EU-UK negotiations including the finalisation of our sectoral response plan. Both I and my Department will continue to consult with the sector interests as necessary through the period ahead.
All of this work is ongoing and must also respond to the emerging developments in the Brexit negotiations.
162. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the nearest school rule under the school transport scheme in order to take into account the impact this rule has on students living in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
This approach complements the overall Department policy which is to ensure that specific school accommodation needs for defined geographical areas are addressed in an orderly fashion.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is determined by the distance they reside from their nearest school.
It is important that the terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
163. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nearest school rule for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33349/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
This approach complements the overall Department policy which is to ensure that specific school accommodation needs for defined geographical areas are addressed in an orderly fashion.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is determined by the distance they reside from their nearest school.
It is important that the terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
164. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the school bus service from the Bunninadden Killavil area of County Sligo to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33350/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Changes to the eligibility criteria for this Scheme were announced in December 2010 as part of measures contained in Budget 2011 and derived from recommendations contained in a comprehensive Value for Money review of the scheme. In general, these changes mean that children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
This approach complements the overall Department policy which is to ensure that specific school accommodation needs for defined geographical areas are addressed in an orderly fashion.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
It is important that the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
165. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether third level colleges have appropriate staffing levels; his plans to introduce a voluntary redundancy scheme in areas in which staff are deemed surplus to requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, third level institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of the institute, including the management of its staffing requirements. My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA-designated higher education institutions and the internal disbursement of funding (both public and private) is then a matter for the individual institution.
Since the introduction of the moratorium on public sector recruitment, an Employment Control Framework (ECF) has been in place for the higher education sector which provides institutions with considerable flexibility to fill vacancies, through recruitment or promotions on the basis of meeting an overall ceiling of posts.
In Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that the existing ECFs and associated moratoriums would be lifted and replaced with a system of delegated sanction for recruiting and promoting up to Principal Officer level, subject to adherence by Departments to binding pay ceilings and ongoing compliance with Workforce Planning requirements. My Department is currently consulting with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to identify the most appropriate staffing model for the higher education sector.
My Department does not have any plans at this time to introduce a general voluntary redundancy scheme in the third level sector. In a situation where an institute identifies staff who are surplus to requirements, it may utilise the redeployment arrangements currently in place for the public service. This issue is being kept under review.
166. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are grants or financial supports available through his Department that can be used towards the cost of school buses in circumstances in which passenger numbers have increased significantly as in a case (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann is responsible for procuring contractors to provide services for school transport purposes.
Private operators wishing to tender for school transport services should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office.
There are no direct financial supports available from my Department, for operators who wish to upgrade their vehicles.
167. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the value of an inheritance of an asset is not regarded as reasonable income in certain cases in the assessment of a student grant; the reason the value of the asset is seen as income in other cases; if he will review this with a view to taking account of a monetary inheritance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33424/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn calculating reckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme, the awarding authority considers income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period, including income from gifts and inheritance.
Article 24(6) of the Student Grant Scheme 2017 provides that gifts or inheritances received in the reference period will be included as reckonable income. This will be taken into account for one year only. Grant assistance may not be awarded in any case where the reckonable income exceeds the prescribed income limits for the award of a grant.
If any of the persons whose income is under consideration received a gift or an inheritance in the reference period, these are included in reckonable income, unless in the case of an independent student, the gift or inheritance was between the applicant and his or her spouse, civil partner or cohabitant; or in the case of a dependent student, the gift or inheritance was between parents or to the applicant from his or her parent(s).
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 the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted by the applicant via www.studentgrantappeals.ie outlining the position to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
