Jack Wall
Question:185 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been awarded a grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2137/05]
View answerThursday, 27 January 2005
Questions (186)
Written answers
The decision on eligibility for third level or further education 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 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.
I understand that in the case referred to by the Deputy the student concerned commenced his course at Ballyfermot College of Further Education in the 2003-04 academic year. The student is now in year two of his course in the 2004-05 academic year.
My Department contacted Kildare VEC, the body responsible for the assessment of the application in this instance. Kildare VEC confirmed the student was assessed by them and approved for a grant for both academic years. As the student is attending a college in Ballyfermot the responsibility for the payment of the grant rests with City of Dublin VEC.
City of Dublin VEC have confirmed they are awaiting confirmation of attendance for the 2003-04 academic year from Ballyfermot College of Further Education before grant payments can issue for the current academic year. Payment will issue once satisfactory documentation has been received. Clause 6.3.2 of the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate course refers: "A grant is tenable for the normal duration of the approved PLC course and is renewable annually subject to satisfactory participation, attendance and the approval of the Vocational Education Committee".