asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the extra travel expenses incurred by County Donegal grant holders, he will give a differential grant to them under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
112.
The higher education grants schemes provide that students whose normal family residence is not in or adjacent to a university town receive grants on a higher scale than those whose normal family residence is in or adjacent to such a town. I do not feel that any additional special arrangement would be warranted in the case of County Donegal.
113.
asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the distance of County Donegal from centres of university education within the State, special measures will be taken to facilitate the attendance of Donegal students at the new University of Ulster, in co-operation with the Northern Ireland authorities.
Under my Department's scheme of grants to enable students to follow courses of higher education, a student may avail himself of the grant at a university or other approved institution in any part of Ireland.
Will the new University of Ulster be recognised by his Department?
A university in any part of Ireland is recognised for grant purposes.
The Minister is telling me he will recognise the University of Ulster?
I repeat that an establishment of that type in any part of Ireland is recognised for grant purposes.
That is pretty clear, but would the Minister not be more definite about it?
There is no need to be more definite about it. Surely this university is situated in Ireland?
Of course, it is.
Does the Minister recognise it as a university?
Yes. Will he recognise it as a university? The answer to the question is "yes" or "no".
This is a university and I recognise it as such.