asked the Minister for Education if, having regard to the family income involved, he is prepared to make a grant available in respect of the attendance of two daughters at third level institutions (details supplied).
Written Answers. - Third Level Education Grants.
263.
Under the provisions for assessment of parental means, which are identical in the higher education grants scheme and the Thomond College of Education grants scheme, neither of the children in question is eligible for a grant. As the schemes are of general application it is not possible to make an exception in the case of an individual student.
264.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state with reference to grants for third level education, if the qualifying income limits for the different categories of grant are the same for parents who have more than one child attending a third level institution; and if he will ensure that where there is more than one child at such an institution the income limits will be adjusted upwards by a considerable amount.
In the case of the higher education grants schemes administered by county councils and county borough councils, the means limits prescribed vary in accordance with the number of dependent children in a family. Students pursuing full-time courses of third-level education are regarded as dependent children for the purpose of the schemes and, accordingly, the relevant income limit is adjusted upwards in respect of each additional child attending a full-time course in a third-level institution.