Peter Barry
Question:144 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education if she will extend the third level grant system to all students including mature students who are attending third level education but do not meet the matriculation requirements.
Written Answers. - Third Level Grant System.
It should be noted that matriculation requirements and course entry requirements prescribed for admission to particular courses are matters for the individual third level colleges concerned.
With effect from the current academic year I have reduced the academic requirements necessary under the higher education grants scheme from four to two grade Cs in higher level papers thus bringing them into line with normal matriculation requirements. The basis for the general requirement of a minimum of two grade Cs in higher level papers in the leaving certificate examination for purposes of the higher education grants scheme is to give financial assistance to students who reach the prescribed standard in the leaving certificate but who, because of family financial circumstances, might not be in a position to proceed to a university or other approved third level course of education. The higher education grants scheme is, therefore, based firstly on attainment and secondly on the need for financial assistance. It is considered that these academic requirements for purposes of the grants scheme are reasonable.
While there is no specific provision in the higher education grants scheme relating to mature students, there is no upper age limit in the scheme at present and it is, therefore, open to a mature student to sit the leaving certificate examination in the normal way for the purposes of qualifying for a grant on grounds of academic attainments and means.