Brendan Kenneally
Question:1354 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will deal with representations on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2565/02]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
A response to the representations made by the Deputy on behalf of the student in question will issue from my Department shortly. The position with regard to the financial assistance available for third level study is that 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. These 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. In general, the objective of the schemes is to assist as many students as possible in obtaining at least one undergraduate and one postgraduate degree.
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 where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has to date been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy.
If an individual applicant considers that s/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, s/he 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, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may itself in exceptional circumstances seek clarification on issues from my Department. It is not open to me or my Department to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases.
Under the free fees initiative, my Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. Eligible students are those who are first-time undergraduates, hold EU nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in a EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved course. Tuition fees are not paid in respect of students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree, irrespective of whether or not funding was previously awarded.