Vol. 522 No. 2
488 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will intervene on behalf of a persons (details supplied) in County Sligo and have the difference in fees paid for her in view of the fact that she has been on a grant system since 1994 and considering the fact that she is continuing her education; if he will make a favourable decision in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18329/00]
Since 1996 the student support schemes have been extended to provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other EU member states. Prior to this, such grants were only payable to students who were pursuing approved courses in the State and in Northern Ireland.
The value of the grant payable to students pursuing approved courses in other EU member states, including in Northern Ireland, is the Irish value of the grant converted to the currency of the country in which they were studying. However, prior to 1996, students studying in Northern Ireland were paid the amount of the grant in sterling, and the tuition fee in respect of post-graduate courses, subject to the maximum fee limit, was payable without reference to exchange rates. Those students studying in Northern Ireland who were assessed under the student support schemes prior to 1996 continue to receive their grants in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Students who commenced their studies from 1996 onward are paid under the revised arrangements.
I understand that the student to whom the Deputy refers commenced her under-graduate studies in NUI Galway in the 1994-95 academic year and completed her degree in the 1997-98 academic year. She commenced her post-graduate studies at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, in the 1999-2000 academic year after a break in studies of one year. She was assessed and awarded a full fees and maintenance grant under the terms of the 1999 higher education grants – HEG – scheme by Sligo County Council. However, as the student in question was not a mature candidate when she returned to pursue her post-graduate studies, she qualifies to have payments made under the former arrangements, as set out in the 1994 HEG scheme. My Department has requested that this student's grant application be re-assessed by Sligo County Council under the terms of the 1994 scheme and that any additional payments due in respect of the 1999-2000 academic year be made.
