asked the Minister for Education if regulations or a circular letter will be issued to local authorities to guide them on the formulation of scholarship schemes; and if they will be in as autonomous a position following recent legislation, as they were before it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scholarship Schemes.
51.
A specimen scheme incorporating the regulations to be made in connection with the higher education grants scheme will be issued for the guidance of local authorities immediately following the passing of the requisite legislation. As the new scheme is on a national basis the regulations governing it will have nationwide application. The question of autonomy will not arise.
52.
asked the Minister for Education if he is in a position to state what provision he is making to ensure availability of university scholarships for children outside the means test categories set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Bill.
I have arranged to make funds available to university authorities to enable them to offer some 50 additional entrance scholarships annually from this year onwards for candidates who do not come within the means categories of the proposed new higher education grants scheme.
How would that compare with the average number taken up by local authority students before the new legislation? Would the Minister have that information?
I am afraid I have not.
Does the Minister know how many scholarships are confined and how many are open in the various local authorities? Would it be possible to get that information? Perhaps the Minister would ask the Minister for Education.
I will ask the Minister.