Ned O'Keeffe
Question:331 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if she will amend the current higher education grant scheme in order to allow students who have already completed the first year of a degree course, and who change course after the first year and enter a different degree course, to qualify for payment of the higher education grant; and if her attention has been drawn to the financial difficulties imposed on students who cannot meet their maintenance costs as a result of being deprived of grant aid in such instances. [1121/97]