Dan Neville
Question:187 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the outcome of an appeal of a decision made in October 1998 not to grant a higher education grant for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [5420/99]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Under the terms of the third level student support schemes, a candidate's reckonable income for the purposes of the award of a grant is the candidate's gross income from all sources and that of his or her parents or guardians where applicable.
I understand from Limerick County Council that the reckonable income in this case exceeds the income limit for the payment of a maintenance grant. Based on the details of reckonable income supplied, the student in question qualifies for a fees only grant.
I further understand from the local authority that the student concerned has requested that her application be re-assessed under the change in circumstances clause of the higher education grants scheme. Under this clause, a local authority may reassess a students eligibility for grant assistance if there has been a change of circumstances relating to the following: the candidate's reckonable income, which is likely to be permanent; the number of dependent children; the number of children in full-time third level education or attending other courses of education as specified in the scheme; normal residence.
Limerick County Council requested evidence of the change in circumstances in December last. To date, the student has not provided this evidence to the local authority and, therefore, it has not been possible for the local authority to reassess her application.