Vol. 493 No. 3
440 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that post leaving certificate students will receive their maintenance grants as early as possible in autumn 1998; if he will guarantee that all eligible students will be paid the first instalment by Christmas 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15722/98]
474 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of the new scheme of maintenance grants for students on post leaving certificate courses. [16276/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 474 together.
The Programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium, provides a commitment to the introduction of equitable support of students attending PLC courses. Furthermore, I have already stated my intention to introduce grants, which will be at the same level as the third-level maintenance grants, as soon as possible for students who are registered on PLC courses as of September 1998.
The introduction of maintenance grants for students attending PLC courses involves the development of significant new administrative arrangements. While the method and timing of these payments may take some time to finalise, I can assure the Deputies that they will be made and they will fully meet our commitments. I expect to be in a position to announce further details on the administration of the scheme in the near future.
