Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
222 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will change the nationality requirement imposed by her Department and allow students from accession countries already studying here to be eligible for higher education grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31660/04]
View answer223 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is not eligible for a higher education grant; the options available to this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31661/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
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 provided they satisfy the relevant conditions as to residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. In general, students continue to be assessed under the terms of the scheme relevant to the year of entry to an approved course.
In accordance with the terms of the 2004 grants schemes and consistent with the conditions attaching to the free fees initiative, only those students from accession countries who are entering higher education for the first time will be eligible, provided they satisfy all the conditions of the schemes.
I understand that in the specific case referred to by the Deputy the student concerned commenced her degree course at Trinity College in the 2003-04 academic year, and is now in year two. Accordingly, she must be assessed under the prescribed terms of the 2003 HEG scheme. As she did not meet the nationality requirement prescribed under the 2003 scheme, she is ineligible for higher education grant assistance. There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria in this regard.
