asked the Minister for Education if he will alter the regulations for the award of higher education grants to enable students whose parents' income is too high in their initial year at college to enable them to qualify for the grant, to qualify for a grant in subsequent years if their parents' income is sharply reduced through death, illness or retirement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
5.
As explained in reply to question No. 4 of 28 February 1978, the existing regulations provide that, where a student is following a course of studies which could be approved of under the scheme, and where such student had not qualified for the award of a grant solely on the ground of means, a grant may be awarded with effect from the beginning of the first academic year following the production of evidence that the means requirements of the scheme would now be fulfilled in his case. In the circumstances, I do not understand why it appears to be suggested that an alteration in the regualtions is required.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that numbers of students claim that they are being debarred from grants in subsequent years when their parential income has fallen because of the fact that their parential income was too high to enable them to qualify for a grant in the initial year? Would the Minister agree that that is an accurate statement of the regulation?
Had the Deputy listened carefully to my reply he would be aware that that is so. Certain students have been debarred from grants in the year in which they took their leaving certificate because their parents' income was too high. I went on to add that should the parents' income fall below the limit later on they are entitled to reapply and would be given grants if the parents' income is within the eligibility limits obtaining from the beginning of the next academic year.
Is it not the case that there has to be at least one year during which the parents' fall in income remains low while the students will still remain unqualified? Is it true that effectively the student must wait about 18 months before he gets back into the scheme on the grounds of reduced parental income?
Had the Deputy listened carefully to my reply he would have seen that a grant may be awarded with effect from the beginning of the first academic year following the production of evidence that the means requirement of the scheme would now be fulfilled in his case.
Is it not true that the child of a man who retires in October or November and whose income falls is not entitled to the grant for that academic year?
The fact is that it would depend on the interpretation, "with effect from the beginning of the first academic year following the production of evidence that the means requirement of the scheme would now be fulfilled in his case". As the Deputy is aware the academic year in the universities usually begins the first week in October or mid-October. If the evidence is produced before 7 October, 15 October, then the grant should be available in accordance with that regualtion in that year.
Is it true that the grant is based on the latest income supplied by the man's employers for the previous 12 months?
It is the previous 12 months as defined. If it is defined up to 1 October then that would be the eligible date.
And if a man retires on 2 October with the result that his income is cut by one-third his son is not entitled to a grant?
That is the way the scheme operated under the Deputy.
I accept that. Would the Minister consider having a look at this because only a few cases exist where there is hardship?
I will have a look at this matter. I am sure the Deputy is referring to some cases which came before him when he was in office. If he is I will have a look at the file and see if anything can be done about it.
I am referring to cases which were brought to my attention since the Minister took office.