Vol. 563 No. 1
341 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a student studying in a public university in England whose parent is a lone parent who does not qualify for the third level grant going on last year's income but where the financial circumstances have now changed, if there is any funding available to assist under a hardship fund or another such fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7214/03]
Under the terms of the higher education grants scheme administered by the local authorities under the aegis of my Department, the position is that students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The candidate's reckonable income for the purposes of the means test is his or her gross income from all sources and the gross income of his or her parents or guardians, where applicable, with certain specified social welfare and health board payments being exempt. Grant assistance may not be awarded in any case where the reckonable income exceeds the prescribed income limits for the award of a grant.
However, the schemes contain a change in circumstances clause whereby the eligibility of a person may be assessed or re-assessed by the grant awarding body in the event of changes in circumstances relating to, inter alia, the candidate's reckonable income, which are likely to be permanent. Apart from the maintenance grants schemes, my Department also provides funding to approved third level institutions in the State to operate a student assistance fund. The objective of the fund is to assist those students who might, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund does not extend to students pursuing courses of study outside the State.
