asked the Minister for Education if he will recognise the GCE in Northern Ireland as a basis for granting a higher education grant, particularly in view of the fact that many Donegal students of necessity must attend secondary schools in Northern Ireland and do not qualify for the higher education grant unless they sit for the leaving certificate as extern candidates.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
26.
As the benefits of the free post-primary education scheme extend to all areas of County Donegal, it is open to all students resident in the county to attend post-primary schools under my Department and present themselves for the leaving certificate examination in the ordinary way. The legal position in relation to the grants as established under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968 is that they can be awarded only on the results of the leaving certificate examination. In view of the position to which I have referred in relation to the availability of post-primary education I do not feel that any amendment of this legislation is called for.