John Perry
Question:726 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve a higher education grant for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25865/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The Department of Education and Science funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions: the higher education grants scheme, the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme and the third-level maintenance grants scheme for trainees. The statutory framework for the higher education grants schemes is set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. The local authorities administer the schemes on behalf of the Department, which reviews the schemes annually. The vocational education committees' scholarship scheme and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees are administered, on behalf of the Department, by the vocational education committees.
All three schemes have broadly similar provisions, relating, for example, to age, residency and means, which govern the award of a grant. It is the relevant local authority or VEC to which application for a grant must be made. Decisions on applications are taken by these bodies based on the terms of the schemes which issue from my Department. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except in exceptional cases, for example where advice regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. It appears that no such advice has been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy. If an individual applicant considers that he or she has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, he or she may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his-her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively the local authority or VEC may in exceptional circumstances seek clarification on issues from my Department. However, it is not open to me or my Department to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases. Until such time as an application has been decided on by the relevant local authority or VEC all enquiries regarding an individual application should be directed to the body concerned rather than to my Department.
Apart from the maintenance grants schemes and the free fees initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students in approved institutions, financial support is also available to students in approved third level institutions through the student assistance-access fund. The objective of the fund, which is ESF-aided, is to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise due to their financial circumstances be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund is administered on a discretionary and confidential basis by each third level institution and provides direct financial support to disadvantaged students to help them to remain in college. I increased the provision for this fund significantly from £1.296 million in 1999 to £1.964 million in 2000.
Michael Bell
Question:727 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the payment of third level education grants to students from the County Louth area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25866/01]
Michael Bell
Question:835 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the payment of third level grants to students in the County Louth area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26641/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 835 together.
My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance at approved courses in approved third level institutions: the higher education grants scheme, the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees. 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 understands from officials at Louth County Council that the first instalment of maintenance grant for the 2001-2 academic year is due to issue to successful applicants on 6 November 2001. County Louth Vocational Education Committee, which administers the VEC scholarship scheme, has confirmed that the first instalment of maintenance grant was issued to successful applicants on 22 October last. While the vocational education committees assess applications under the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees, the third level institutions approved under the scheme are responsible for payment of the maintenance grants to individual students. The Department understands that for the current academic year Dundalk IT has commenced payments to successful applicants.