Vol. 474 No. 6
178 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the late payment to students who qualify for higher education grants by some vocational education committees and local authorities; if her attention has further been drawn to the hardship caused to these students and their parents in this regard; and the steps, if any, she will take to have fixed date payments in future years. [3697/97]
The arrangements for the payment of grants under the higher education grants scheme are a matter for the local authorities, who are statutorily entrusted with the administration of the scheme under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968. I understand that local authorities have all paid the first and second instalment of the student grants for the 1996 academic year, with the exception of cases where they are awaiting further information from applicants or where late applications were accepted.
The terms of the vocational education committee scholarships scheme, which is administered by the various vocational education committees, include provision for the payment of maintenance awards in three equal instalments, as early as possible in each term. The particular circumstances of individual cases may effect the date on which instalments for grant holders issue.
If the Deputy is aware of specific delays in the payment of grants, he should refer them to the relevant local authority or vocational education committee, as appropriate.
