Vol. 488 No. 2
197 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if all local authorities and VEC's are paying higher education grants for students who are studying overseas in the same currency equivalent; and the correct interpretation of the guidelines in relation to whether students should be paid in the sterling equivalent or in the Irish punts value for those studying in the United Kingdom. [5976/98]
In 1996 the student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other EU member states. Prior to this, grants were payable only to students who were pursuing approved courses in Northern Ireland. In this context and following discussions with the local authorities regarding the necessary administrative arrangements, it was agreed that students pursuing approved courses in other EU member states, including Northern Ireland, would be paid the value of the grant in the currency of the country in which they were studying and that the value of the maintenance grant to be paid in all circumstances would be the Irish value converted to the currency of the country in which the student is pursuing his-her course.
Previously, students studying in Northern Ireland were paid the amount of the grant in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Those students studying in Northern Ireland who were assessed under the student support schemes prior to 1996 continue to receive their grants in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Students who commenced their studies from 1996 are paid under revised arrangements.
