Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 5

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

363 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the apparently inconsistent processing of four grant applications from one family (details supplied); his views on whether the four to seven children figure is appropriate in this case; if he has satisfied himself that this family is receiving its proper entitlement to maintenance funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The reckonable income limit for a full maintenance grant under the student support schemes for the 2000-01 academic year, where there are less than Part 4 dependent children, is £20,200. The income limits increase accordingly where there are between four and seven dependent children, £22,200, and, again, where there are more than eight dependent children, £24,100. The parent or guardian of a candidate may not be included when calculating the number of dependent children, for the purpose of the means test.

A sliding scale of entitlement exists whereby candidates who do not qualify for a full maintenance grant may qualify for a part maintenance grant of 50% in respect of which the income limit is £21,400 where there are less than four dependent children, £23,400 where there are between four and seven dependent children and £25,500 where there are more than eight dependent children.

In the 2000-01 academic year where two or more children or the candidate's parent are pursuing a course of study listed below, the reckonable income limits may be increased by £2,270 where there are two such children, £4,540 where there are three such children and so on, by increments of £2,270: attending full-time third level education; attending a recognised PLC course, student nurse training or student garda training; participating in a CERT course of at least one year's duration; attending a full-time Teagasc course in an agricultural college, or attending a recognised full-time further education course of at least one year's duration in the North.

With regard to the family in question, two of the children and the children's mother applied to Wexford County Council for grant assistance under the higher education grants scheme, 2000. A third child applied to County Wexford VEC for grant assistance under the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses.

My Department has discussed the case raised by the Deputy with Wexford County Council and with Wexford VEC and has requested further information regarding the manner in which reckonable income was assessed. When this information has been examined I will arrange for a full response on the matter to issue to the Deputy.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

364 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department's inquiries regarding assessable income on the application for a third level maintenance grant by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford have been completed; if he will ensure that the VEC is given sanction to pay this grant without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Under the terms of the support schemes the reckonable income of a candidate, other than an independent mature candidate, for the purposes of the means test is his or her gross income from all sources, and the gross income of his or her parents or guardians where applicable, with certain specified social welfare and health board payments being exempt.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, County Wexford VEC, the body which administers the relevant scheme, referred a query concerning the calculation of reckonable income to my Department. The matter was referred for professional accounting advice within my Department. Consideration of the issues involved is nearing completion and a response will issue to County Wexford VEC in the near future.