Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2020
197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the documents that would suffice regarding Article 21(3)(b) of the student grant scheme 2020 to prove estrangement in the case of persons (details supplied) [31970/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the statutory based student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.
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.
A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if he or she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous October. Otherwise he or she would continue to be assessed on the basis of parental income.
Only in exceptional cases, where compelling evidence of estrangement from parents/guardians is provided, can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address, Article 21(3) (b) of the Scheme refers.
The assessment of a case of estrangement is carefully considered to ensure there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the exceptional circumstances pertaining in such cases genuinely exists. Cases of genuine estrangement are relatively rare and almost always will involve exceptional circumstances unique to a particular family situation. The scheme does not stipulate precisely how an awarding authority satisfies itself that such circumstances prevail. This is to allow the awarding authority sufficient flexibility to assess the evidence of irrevocable estrangement in each individual case. The type of documentary evidence required is dependent on the applicant's individual circumstances.
Accepted evidence to support an application can include a letter from a Social Worker/TUSLA confirming students' estrangement or a Court Order. Other documents may be provided but must specifically confirm the estrangement., all documents submitted are subject to review by SUSI to determine if the estrangement criteria has been met.
Other documents not listed here may be provided but must specifically confirm irreconcilable estrangement from their parent(s).
The students in question have submitted appeals to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board and their appeals will be determined at a sitting of the Board or before the statutory deadline as proved for in the Student Support Act 2011 which in theri case is 4th December 2020. The decision of the Board will be issued by email directly to each student immediately following the Board meeting.
