Vol. 546 No. 1
187 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the long delay in processing applications for the top-up scheme under the higher education grant scheme; the reason for this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31276/01]
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. With regard to the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, usually referred to as top-up grants my Department has forwarded full details of this initiative to the local authorities, with a request that payment be made with effect from the 2000-01 academic year. My Department is aware that a number of local authorities have not completed the processing of applications. However, arrangements for payment of the special rates are a matter for the local authorities.
