asked the Minister for Education if she will change the regulation in regard to the recoupment of local authorities in respect of their expenditure on higher education grants, so that recoupment can be made to the local authorities immediately loans are paid to third level students to avoid the local authorities having to bear the cost of overdraft facilities for which they are not reimbursed and to avoid the undue hardship being caused to students by the delay in paying grants.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
273.
It is not intended to alter the arrangement which has operated since 1968 and under which recoupment is made by my Department to local authorities for their expenditure on higher education grants. As I stated in reply to Questions Nos. 406, 407 and 410 on 24 January 1984, it is a matter for each local authority to ensure that payments in respect of the higher education grants awarded by them are made at the appropriate time.