Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 5

Written Answers - Third Level Grants.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

136 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a decision is reversed in relation to a student living in Ballymun (details supplied) who has been refused a non-adjacent third-level maintenance grant to attend Tallaght Regional Technical College on the basis that the M50 provides a route that is less than 15 miles and in view of the fact that this person is reliant on public transport; and if he will make a ruling in relation to this matter for all students. [4425/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Under the terms of the 1997 higher education grants scheme maintenance grants are payable at either adjacent or non-adjacent rates. The local authority decides the rate applicable in each particular case. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grant holder's normal residence is 15 miles or less from the college which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant payable in all other cases.

I understand from Dublin Corporation, the body statutorily entrusted with the administration of the higher education grants scheme, that the student in question was provisionally awarded a maintenance grant at the adjacent rate pending receipt of confirmation of the student's acceptance on an approved course for the purposes of the scheme. The corporation is awaiting this confirmation to confirm the award of a grant in this case and its appropriate level.