Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Michael Creed

Question:

318 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will arrange to have the final instalment of higher education grants paid immediately to all colleges due to the financial hardship and cash flow problems facing many families due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak. [10719/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The statutory framework for the maintenance grants schemes, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education. The higher education grant scheme, which my Department revises annually, is administered by the local authorities.

The terms of the scheme for the 2000-01 academic year provide that the local authorities shall pay the maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible in each term and the individual payable orders shall be addressed to the grantholder care of the bursar's office of the college. The third instalment is due to be forwarded to the colleges immediately following the Easter break.

My Department has made inquiries and understands that the majority of local authorities are at an advanced stage as regards the processing of the third instalment due to grantholders. This should ensure the efficient distribution of the third instalment of the grant.