Michael Ring
Question:276 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants, if any, there are from the EU for overseas studies for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo studying a post-graduate course in England. [10909/99]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The student support schemes operated under the aegis of my Department do not provide assistance towards attendance at post-graduate courses outside Ireland. There are no other funds at the disposal of my Department out of which financial assistance could be made available to the candidate to whom the Deputy refers, in respect of his studies at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.
The British Council in Ireland offers advice and assistance to Irish students studying in Britain and has information on scholarships offered by the British Government to Irish and other EU students. The address is British Council Offices, New Mount House, 22/24 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, telephone 01/6764088.
Seán Haughey
Question:277 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to pay a uniform rate of higher education grant to independent mature students and mature dependant students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10929/99]
Under the terms of the student support schemes, the rate of maintenance grant payable is determined by reference to the distance from the student's normal residence to the college, which she/he is attending. In the case of independent mature students, normal residence is defined as the residence of the candidate while in attend ance at college. If this address is 15 miles or less from the college being attended, the adjacent rate of grant is payable. If the address is more than 15 miles from the college the non-adjacent rate is payable. However, where an independent mature student can produce evidence that he/she is maintaining a residence other than their address while attending college it is open to the local authority to regard that address as the student's normal residence.
I previously indicated my concern about mature students generally and independent mature students in particular in regard to the rate of grant payable in accordance with the provisions of the schemes. With effect from the coming academic year all eligible mature students will qualify for the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant. This improvement is estimated to cost £2.4 million over the next two years. The new arrangements will be provided for in the context of the 1999 student support schemes, which will be available later in the year.