asked the Minister for Education if he will make grants available to students from the Republic attending second level education in Northern Ireland colleges; if he is aware that in Border counties such as Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan there is a tradition of attendance at second level schools in Northern Ireland; and if he will introduce legislation to amend the 1968 Act so that the children of citizens of this country who go to school in the tradition of the area may avail of the programme of grants on par with students attending schools in the Republic.
Written Answers. - Attendance at Northern Ireland Schools.
409.
I am not aware of what grants the Deputy has in mind in respect of students from the Republic attending schools in Northern Ireland, to whom such grants would be payable, or the rate at which they would be payable. Capitation grants and the grant-in-lieu of tuition fees are payable to secondary schools in the Republic as a component part of the scheme of financial assistance for such schools. These grants would not appropriately be payable to other schools.
I assume that the 1968 Act to which the Deputy refers is the Local Authority (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968. Awards in accordance with the term of this Act are made to students who reach a specified standard at the leaving certificate examination and comply with the other conditions of eligibility. These conditions do not include a requirement of enrolment at second level schools in the Republic.