asked the Minister for Education if and when he proposes to provide en route grants for higher education students; the criteria on which such grants will be awarded; and the level of such grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - En Route Grants.
4.
I assume the Deputy's question refers to the award of grants in the second or subsequent year of students' courses. Under the higher education grants scheme where a student is following a course of studies which could be approved of under the scheme and where such student had not qualified for the award of a grant solely on the ground of means, a grant may be awarded with effect from the beginning of the first academic year following the production of evidence that the means requirements of the scheme would now be fulfilled in his case. A similar provision exists in relation to scholarships awarded by vocational education committees.
The level of grant in these cases is determined by the extent of the student's compliance with the relevant means test regulations.
Is the Minister aware that in a document produced before the election by the Fianna Fáil Research and Support Services an under-taking was given to provide en route grants for higher education, and would he indicate whether what was in this document referred to something new or simply to the existing situation?
Is the Deputy referring to the Fianna Fáil manifesto?
No. It is another document with which the Minister may not be familiar.
I should like to see a copy of it to see the commitment that was made, if any.
Is it the position that a student who does not qualify in the first year and whose father's circumstances have altered in the meantime can now qualify for higher education grants?
If he has completed one year satisfactorily in a university or other third-elevel institute, he may qualify the second year.
The Minister used the phrase "may qualify." Who decides whether he will or not?
If he has completed satisfactorily one year in a third-level institute and if the new means are such as to qualify him, the grant will be made in respect of the second, third and subsequent years.