Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 1997

Vol. 482 No. 1

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Paul McGrath

Question:

130 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science when the concept of adjacent rate was first introduced; the circumstances in which it was introduced; the way in which 15 miles as distinct from 14 or 16 was chosen as the differential point between the two levels of grant aid in relation to full rate and adjacent rate payments of higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17347/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

When the higher education grants scheme was originally introduced in 1968, provision was made for the payment of maintenance grants at the adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The adjacent rate of maintenance was paid to a candidate whose normal family residence was adjacent to the college being attended. In all other cases the non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant was payable. No specific mileage criterion was applied and the decision on whether grants would be paid at the adjacent or non-adjacent rate was a matter solely for decision by the local authorities.

In 1978, a new provision was introduced which required a local authority to decide (i) whether a candidate's normal family residence was in or adjacent to a university town, or (ii) whether the candidate's course was provided in an educational institution adjacent to his or her normal family residence, in the light of the distance and the local public transport services. The adjacent rate of grant was applied in the case of every candidate who could reasonably be expected to travel daily between his or her home and college.

The 15 mile criterion for determining which rate of grant was payable was introduced in 1979, to standardise the approach taken by local authorities. This followed an examination by the Public Accounts Committee of the way in which some local authorities were administering the adjacency provision. In addition to the 15 mile criterion, the local authority also had regard as to whether the candidate could reasonably be expected to travel on a daily basis to college where the candidate's family residence was more than 15 miles from the college. If the local authority determined that the candidate could so reasonably travel, the adjacent rate of grant only was payable. This provision was omitted with effect from 1995 as differences in interpretation had led to difficulties.