Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which the son of a person (details supplied) is in receipt of their full entitlements by way of a SUSI grant as opposed to the half rate that they were awarded in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
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 an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant online via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.
The student referred to by the Deputy was issued a letter by SUSI on 11 July 2022 advising they were awarded the 50% rate of Student Contribution if both they and their course were deemed eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
On 7 November 2022 the college advised SUSI that the student was not eligible for the Free Fees Initiative. As a result, the application was refused, and an ineligibility letter was sent on 10 November 2022 to the student.
The student was advised in accordance with Section 20 of the Student Support Act 2011, of the right to appeal the decision to refuse the application within 30 days of receipt of the letter. As of 22nd November 2022, no notice of appeal has been received by SUSI.
