John Perry
Question:492 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an application by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo for a higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23695/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
My Department understands that the person, to whom the Deputy refers, made an application to Sligo County Council for grant assistance under the higher education grants scheme 2001. It is further understood that Sligo County Council has recently awarded the person in question the full non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant.
John Bruton
Question:493 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide grant assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if she may qualify for grant aid as an adult, without having the income of her parents taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23696/01]
My Department understands that the person to whom the Deputy refers has recently applied to Wexford Vocational Education Committee, the body charged with administering the scheme in this case, for grant assistance under the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses in 2001. The scheme defines a mature candidate as one who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an approved PLC course.
Under the terms of the scheme, mature students are categorised as either independent mature students or mature students dependent on parents. An independent mature student is defined to mean a mature candidate who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents from 1 October preceding their entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are deemed to be self-supporting and are assessed without reference to either their parents' incomes or address.
When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the student's means and those of their parents or guardians must be below a prescribed limit. This provision requires that parental income be taken into account, irrespective of the individual circumstances, in any case where the student is not categorised as an independent mature student.
My Department understands that County Wexford VEC will be in direct contact shortly with the candidate regarding her eligibility for grant assistance under the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses in 2001.