asked the Minister for Education the reason third level students of religious education and theology (details supplied) in County Cork do not qualify for local government grants.
Written Answers. - Eligibility for Third Level Grants.
189.
My Department has approved the following theology and religious science courses for purposes of the higher education grants scheme beginning in the current academic session, 1986-87. The four courses in question are:—
(1) Bachelor of Religious Science, Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin;
(2) Baccalaureate of Theology and Arts, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, County Kildare;
(3) Bachelor of Arts—Single Honours (Theology) course, Trinity College, Dublin 2;
(4) Bachelor of Arts — Two Subject Moderatorship (including Theology), Trinity College, Dublin 2.
It was decided to grant approval to these courses for students seeking higher education grants after careful consideration of the representations made by various interests and after obtaining and examining the advice of the Attorney General in the matter. Accordingly, all students who otherwise comply fully with the provisions of the higher education grants scheme, will be eligible to apply to their local rating authorities for higher education grants.
This decision will apply to all students pursuing the courses listed during the current academic year 1986-87, i.e. it applies to students in all study years. Accordingly, such students are invited to make application to their local rating authorities, which are statutorily entrusted with the administration of the higher education grants scheme, and who have been informed of these arrangements.
I am particularly pleased that the constitutional doubts that have hitherto held up payment of grants for these theology and religious science courses have been resolved.