Vol. 233 No. 12
asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the proposals for maintenance grants for rural students attending university, he will state what consideration has been given to the possibility of extending the scheme to urban students whose parents find they cannot maintain their children at university.
61.
asked the Minister for Education if he will consider introducing a scheme of interest-free, repayable grants to post-primary school leavers who have three honours in their leaving certificate but find that owing to financial circumstances they cannot pursue a university course; if he is aware of any efforts being made by the private sector of business to operate such a scheme; and, if so, if he will give details.
62.
asked the Minister for Education what efforts are being made to encourage the private sector of business to offer scholarships to employees willing to pursue a university or technical school course.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 61 and 62 together.
Under the draft Bill which I propose to introduce to this House shortly both rural and urban students will be eligible, subject to certain conditions being fulfilled, for the award of grants to enable them to attend courses of higher education.
A scheme of interest-free repayable grants to enable students to follow a university course does not hold any appeal for me. I am not aware of any efforts by the private sector of business to operate a scholarship scheme.
