Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Richard Bruton

Question:

281 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he has overruled Meath County Council in the matter of the award of a higher education grant to persons (details supplied) in County Meath; whether it has been the practice to accept previous years' income as the determination of eligibility in the past; if his intervention in this case implies that information will in future be sought in all cases regarding current income; and his views on whether the custom and practice in relation to assessments of the self employed has always been to accept income according to the accounts in the year of application. [2534/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

At the outset, I would like to clarify that the students in question are pursuing courses which are approved for the purposes of the ESF-aided maintenance grants scheme and that their grant applications were processed by County Meath Vocational Education Committee.

The VEC raised the question of the assessment of means with my Department, which advised that it is the normal practice, when calculating reckonable income for grant purposes, that evidence of income for the previous financial year is required. This method is used as income from the previous year will generally reflect income in the current year. However, in accordance with the change of circumstances clause of the ESF-aided maintenance grants scheme, a candidate's eligibility for grant aid may be reassessed in the event of a change in reckonable income which is likely to be permanent. This change in circumstances may be positive or negative and in either situation the revised income is annualised and the grant entitlement assessed thereon.

In the particular case referred to by the Deputies the reckonable income for grant purposes was calculated by annualising current weekly income as a positive change in circumstances, which was likely to be permanent, had occurred.

With regard to the calculation of reckonable income in the case of the self-employed, it is normal practice, as in the case of employees generally, to accept evidence of income relating to the preceding financial year. Similarly, where a change of circumstances has occurred which is likely to be permanent, the grant entitlement may be reviewed.