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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - ASTI Survey.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

252 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the recent survey of County Louth secondary schools carried out by the ASTI which shows major deficiencies in the facilities available; and the plans, if any, she has to rectify the matter. [24486/96]

My Department's planning and building unit has before it at present a number of applications for grant-assistance towards the improvement of educational facilities in County Louth. All these projects are progressing satisfactorily. Additional information can be provided to the Deputy by my Department should he require further details in relation to a particular project.

John Ellis

Question:

253 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim, who is a mature student attending Limerick regional technical college, is being refused the full rate of grant; and the reason the applicant is being forced to use his address in Limerick as his address for grant purposes. [24493/96]

Under the 1996 higher education grants scheme, independent mature students are defined to be mature students who are not ordinarily resident at home with their parents. Their entitlement to a grant is assessed without reference to either their parents' income or address.

The address of independent mature students for the purpose of determining the rate of grant payable is their residence for the purpose of attending college. If this address is within 15 miles of the college, the adjacent rate of grant is payable. If the address is more than 15 miles from the college, the non-adjacent rate of grant is payable. However, where independent mature students can produce evidence that they are maintaining a residence other than their address while attending college and the non-college residence is more than 15 miles from the college, local authorities can regard that address as the normal residence of the student.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the student's residence for the purpose of attending college is within 15 miles of the college. Therefore, the adjacent rate of grant is payable.
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