Vol. 546 No. 5
282 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in processing a third level grant application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will ensure that the application is expedited. [32248/01]
My Department funds three means tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions. They are 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. It is the local authorities which, on behalf of my Department, administer the schemes which are reviewed annually by my Department. The vocational education committees' scholarship scheme and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees are administered, on behalf of my 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 applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. To date it appears that no such advice or instruction has been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy.
If an applicant considers that she or he 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 applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by a local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department.
283 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a top-up grant will be made to first, second and third year students being grant aided by Mayo County Council; the number of these students which have been paid their grant; and if this grant will be issued to them before Christmas 2001. [32249/01]
The arrangements for the payment of maintenance grants under the higher education grants scheme are a matter for the local authorities. They 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 2000-2001 academic year. Arrangements for payment of the special rates are a matter for the local authorities.
Mayo County Council has advised my Department that payment of the special rate of maintenance grant, in respect of the 2000-2001 academic year, was issued to 91 students on 4 December. Applications in respect of the 2001-2002 academic year are still being processed. The county council anticipates that payments to eligible students will be made by the end of January 2002.
