Vol. 556 No. 3
401 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the top-up higher education grant was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if a family relying on disability benefits does not qualify for a top-up grant even though it is within the qualifying limit; if so, the action he proposes to take to eliminate this discriminatory element of assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/02]
The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except in exceptional cases where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular condition is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has 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 the special rate of maintenance grant, 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 conditions 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.
Earlier this year my Department carried out a review of the operation of the special rates of maintenance grant. This review also has had the benefit of input from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Arising from the review, the criteria for the special rates were broadened significantly and a number of additional social welfare payments have been included as eligible payments for the purposes of the scheme. As disability benefit is considered to be a short-term payment, it is not included as an eligible payment for the purposes of the special rates of maintenance grant. It is not open to me or my Department to depart from the terms of the special rates of maintenance grants schemes in individual cases.
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 objectives of the fund, which is ESF aided are 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 assist them to remain in college.
