asked the Minister for Education the basis on which university scholarships, as distinct from the higher education grants scheme, are awarded by her Department.
Written Answers. - University Scholarships.
133.
The university scholarships (An Gaeltacht, Tri Ghaeilge and Easter Week Commemoration — of which 15, 20, and seven respectively are offered annually) are awarded on a competitive basis by reference to attainments in the Leaving Certificate examination. These scholarships are not means tested.
The principal conditions attaching to the award of these scholarships are as follows:—
An Gaeltacht Scholarship
No one may enter the competition for the scholarships except those—
(a) who have been living the Gaeltacht for the main part of their lives before 1 January of the year of the examination, and for at least three years of the five years immediately before that date.
(b) who have fluent Irish, and where Irish is the normal language of the family.
(c) who got their primary and secondary education through Irish, who are taking part in the Leaving Certificate, 1989 under Regulation No. 35 of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools 1988/89 and who get grade D or higher in five subjects at least or in four subjects including Irish, and at least grade C in (i) higher level paper in Irish, (ii) higher level paper in at least two other subjects in the Leaving Certificate, 1989 and
(d) who is not below 17 years of age on 15 January 1990 and who is not over 20 years of age on 31 July 1989.
Tri Ghaeilge Scholarship
1. The pupils who will be entitled to enter for the scholarships are those who are applicants for the Leaving Certificate 1989 under Rule 35 of the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools 1989, and who were 17 years or over on 15 January 1990 and not more than 20 years on the 31 July 1989 and have fulfilled the following conditions:—
(a) the Principal or Manager of the school must certify that the course was done through Irish (apart from Irish itself) in at least three subjects answered by the student in the Leaving Certificate;
(b) the student should have attained at least grade C in (i) higher level paper in Irish and (ii) higher level paper in at least two other subjects in the Leaving Certificate 1989;
(c) he/she must have very good Irish both spoken and written.
2. Successful candidates must attend U.C.G. and study their respective courses through Irish.
Easter Week Commemoration Scholarships
1. Seven scholarships shall be awarded annually, that is, one scholarship each year in commemoration of each of the signatories of the 1916 proclamation.
2. The scholarship shall be awarded in each case to the candidate who performs best in Higher Level papers at the Leaving Certificate Examination in the year of the competition in the appropriate subjects of one of the groups of subjects referred to in paragraph 3. The work of those candidates who obtain the highest grades in appropriate subjects within each group will be compared for the purpose of the award of the scholarships. In the event of two or more candidates in any group being considered of equal standard, the order of merit shall be determined by reference to the performance of the candidates in Irish.
3. (a) The following is the title of each scholarship and the group of subjects on the basis of which the successful applicant shall be selected in each case on the basis of the results in the Leaving Certificate Examination, 1989.
Tom Clarke Scholarship
Irish and two subjects from the following: English, Agricultural Science, Physics and Chemistry, Agriculture Economics, Home Economics (Scientific and Social), Home Economics (General).
Sean Mac Diarmada Scholarship
Irish and two subjects from the following: English, Engineering, Technical Drawing, Construction Studies.
Thomas McDonagh Scholarship
Irish and two subjects from the following: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Classical Studies.
Patrick Pearse Scholarship
Irish and two subjects from the following: English, History, Geography, Art (including crafts), Music and Musicianship.
Eamonn Ceannt Scholarship
Irish and two subjects from the following: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Applied Maths.
James Connolly Scholarship
Mathematics and two subjects from the following: Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Agricultural Science, Home Economics (Scientific and Social), Accounting, Business Organisation, Economics.
Joseph Plunkett Scholarship
Irish and two subjects from the following: English, Accounting, Business Organisation, Economics, Economic History.
4. Any candidate at the Leaving Certificate Examination in the year of the competition who obtains at least Grade C in Irish (Higher Level Paper) and Grade D or a higher grade in at least three other subjects from the approved list of subjects, shall be deemed to be a candidate for the award of the scholarships. It is not necessary to submit an application form to the Department.
5. A candidate must satisfy the Department that he/she is a speaker of Irish. As evidence of such he/she must reach such standard as may be prescribed by the Minister at the oral test in Irish at the Leaving Certificate Examination.