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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 5

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

203 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education whether a grant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the fact that she has managed to secure a place on a post-graduate course that had 1,000 applicants, but who now, without the support of a grant, may not be in a position to continue her further study; and if she will make a statement on this matter and the commitment to helping those who are in financial difficulties to fulfil their academic potential. [9674/97]

The student in question has applied to be assessed as a mature student.

I understand from Donegal County Council, the body statutorily entrusted with the administration of the higher education grants scheme in this case, that the date of birth of the student in question is 13 August 1974.

The Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act 1992 defines a mature student as a person of not less than 23 years of age on the first day of January in the year of entry to the relevant third level institution.

Accordingly, Donegal County Council could not regard the student in question as a mature student. It is of course open to the student in question to apply to Donegal County Council to be considered as a dependent student.

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