Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 6

Written Answers. - Maintenance Grants.

Tomás MacGiolla

Question:

203 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the cessation of boarding facilities operating for school children from Aranmore Island to the community school in Falcarragh, County Donegal, from September 1991 and the fact that maintenance moneys are paid to parents on a quarterly basis, she will make special arrangements to pay the maintenance moneys to parents on a more regular basis so as to ease the burden on families, especially those on low incomes.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Maintenance grants are paid in three instalments over the year.

At the beginning of each term forms are completed in respect of pupils applying for the grant and submitted to my Department for processing. As the numbers applying sometimes vary between one term and the next, it is necessary to have forms completed each term.

I have asked my Department to have the applications in question processed with a view to having grants paid as early in the new term as possible.