Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 10

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants Scheme.

Máirín Quill

Question:

131 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education if she intends to extend the third level grants system to the small number of mature students who gain admission to university every year, who remain excluded from the grants scheme despite the fact that they meet every requirement to render them eligible for grants; and if she will indicate her intention on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

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.