Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2009
298 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of local authorities that have commenced paying out third level maintenance grants on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37826/09]
View answer299 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the local authorities that have drawn down funding from his Department for the purposes of paying out third level maintenance grants to students; the amount drawn down by each local authority and the date the funding was drawn down in tabular format. [37827/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.
The normal procedure for the recoupment of funding paid by local authorities in respect of first instalment of the maintenance grant is that the Department sends out the recoupment form to them during the first week in November for return to the Department by the third week in November. The recoupment arrangements are being kept under continuous review particularly in light of the current economic climate, where grant assessing authorities may face additional challenges in terms of financial management.
A number of local authorities have indicated a need for funding and my Department has facilitated them by making an early payment based on an estimate received. The Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968-1992 provide for the making of grants by local authorities to enable persons to attend approved courses of higher education. The process, whereby local authorities assess eligibility and make grant payments under the Higher Education Grants Scheme is provided for under these Acts.
The arrangements for the payment of grants under the Grant Schemes are a matter for the Local Authorities. The terms of the Higher Education Grants Scheme for the 2009/10 academic year provide for the payment by the Local Authorities of each maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible in each term with the individual payable orders being addressed to the grantholder c/c the Bursar's Office of the College.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. The tables provide (a) details of the local authorities that have drawn down funding for the academic year 2009/10 (b) details of the local authorities that have commenced paying the first instalment of third level maintenance grant.
|
Local Authority |
Amount |
Date payment approved by the Department |
|
€ |
||
|
Sligo County Council |
1,026,345.00 |
24/09/2009 |
|
Mayo County Council |
3,831,147.82 |
16/10/2009 |
|
Laois County County |
520,081.68 |
19/10/2009 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
596,855.20 |
19/10/2009 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1,511,498.00 |
20/10/2009 |
|
Payments commencedName of Local Authority |
|
Carlow County Council |
|
Clare County Council |
|
Cork County Council |
|
Donegal County Council |
|
Dublin City Council |
|
Dun-Laoighre County Council |
|
Dublin South County Council |
|
Fingal County Council |
|
Galway County Council |
|
Kerry County Council |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
|
Laois County Council |
|
Leitrim County Council |
|
Limerick County Council |
|
Louth County Council |
|
Meath County Council |
|
Monaghan County Council |
|
Sligo County Council |
|
Tipperary South County Council |
|
Waterford City Council |
|
Waterford County Council |
|
Wexford County Council |
