(Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education the plans she has to bring about equality in regard to the financial qualifications for higher education grants, with particular reference to net income and expenses.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
274.
The present position is that, for a candidate to be eligible for the award of a higher education grant, the reckonable income of the candidate and of the candidate's parents or guardians must be within the income limits set out in the relevant scheme. For the purpose of the scheme reckonable income means gross income from all sources, less any sum paid by way of contribution to a superannuation fund, and excluding also children's allowances under the Social Welfare Acts, holiday earnings of the candidate and payments under the family income supplement scheme.
These provisions are applied equally to all applicants for higher education grants.
As I have already announced I am currently reviewing the terms of the higher education grants scheme, including income eligibility criteria.