asked the Minister for Education whether he has received from Tipperary (South Riding) County Council a resolution asking that the closing date for the receipt of applications for scholarships under the Council's scheme for scholarships in secondary, vocational and other approved schools for 1964 be extended; whether he has refused to permit such extension; if he will state fully the reasons for such refusal; and whether in view of the hardship imposed on the children involved he will now reconsider his decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Scholarship Scheme.
22.
I did receive a resolution from Tipperary (South Riding) County Council requesting an extension of the closing date for the receipt of applications for the scholarship examination and I refused to grant such an extension.
The examination is a public, competitive one and when it has been adequately advertised in the public press and a specific closing date for the receipt of completed application forms laid down, I am not prepared to approve of any extension of the closing date. To do otherwise would be inequitable to all those candidates who had complied with the published regulations.
I might add, for the Deputy's information, that the Tipperary (South Riding) County Council advertised the examination and the closing date therefor on five occasions in the local press.