With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 25 and 26 together.
There could be no question of operating a higher education grants scheme on the basis of giving those who have qualified for such grants liberty to divorce themselves completely from study over an indefinite period and then be allowed to enter an institution of higher education and take up the grant.
Provision is made in the higher education grants scheme being operated by the local authorities for the postponement of grants where circumstances made it difficult or impossible for the student to enter higher education immediately, each application being considered on its merits.
Applications for grants or the postponement of grants are not made to my Department but to the local authority concerned in each case. It would be a matter for the local authority to decide whether the submission of the application to my Department was either necessary or warranted.