asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the criteria and formula used in determining the amount of money allocated to VEC's to assist pupils of limited means to meet examination fees.
279.
Written Answers. - Low Income Family Assistance.
261.
asked the Minister for Education the measures she proposes to take in order to assist low income families, many of whom have multiple school entrances in any school year, to cope with the demands of State examination fees.
281.
asked the Minister for Education, in view of her announcement of assistance to families in financial hardship with the payment of entrance fees for their children for the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations, the level of such assistance to be offered, if such assistance will take the form of total relief from payment of these fees; if so, the date from which it is intended that this scheme will operate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 279 and 281 together.
A scheme is in operation whereby a reduction in examination entry fees may be allowed by the school authorities in cases of particular hardship. The amount of the reduction in the case of any pupil concerned is determined at the discretion of the school authorities, subject to the total amount of such reductions not exceeding a specified amount notified to each school or vocational education committee. This specified amount is calculated by reference to the allocation to each school or VEC towards alleviating the cost of school books in the case of necessitous pupils.