Vol. 515 No. 5
104 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will introduce a management contract with performance clauses with the local authorities who administer higher education grants in order that full payment will not be made to local authorities who suffer performance lapses such as late payment of grants or who restrict unduly the opportunity of applicants to make telephone queries. [6485/00]
The arrangements for the payment of maintenance grants under the higher education grants scheme are a matter for the local authorities, which are statutorily entrusted with the administration of the scheme under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968.
My Department does not make payments to the local authorities in respect of the administration of the higher education grants scheme. Accordingly, the question of introducing a management contract such as that referred to by the Deputy does not arise.
105 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been refused a third level grant in spite of the fact that she is attending the Cork Institute of Technology and did not receive a grant for first year studies in view of the fact she was considered to be under age in spite of her attaining the CAO points required; and if she will now receive a third level grant. [6486/00]
Information relating to this case will be conveyed to the Deputy as soon as possible.
