Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2009
217 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria applying to a grant under the Higher Education Access Route; the way it would apply to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5355/09]
View answerThe Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by eight Higher Education Institutions — UCD, UCC, NUIM, NUIG, TCD, UL, DCU and DIT. These institutions provide third-level places on reduced
Leaving Certificate points to students who meet specified socio-economic criteria and attend schools that are linked to the institution's access programmes.
I understand that there is no specific HEAR grant associated with the scheme. However, the institutions involved may, resources permitting, provide students with some post-entry financial and/or academic supports from the institution. The provision of such supports is purely a matter for the institutions involved.
