Theresa Ahearn
Question:697 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will give permission for a higher education grant to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Tipperary Grant Application.
I understand that the person in question last held a higher education grant from Tipperary (SR) County Council while studying science at UCC in the 1982-83 academic year. Tipperary (SR) County Council recently inquired from my Department whether the grant could be renewed to enable the person concerned to study for the higher diploma in education in the 1991-92 academic year.
A higher education grant may be extended to an eligible degree holder to undertake post-graduate study on completion of a primary degree. Only in exceptional circumstances is the deferment of the extension of the grant approved. Such exceptional circumstances were not seen to exist in this case and my Department were therefore not prepared to sanction the renewal of the grant.