asked the Minister for Education if he has any intentions in regard to certain restrictions in the award of higher education grants, especially the restrictions whereby (a) mature students are assessed on their parents' means; (b) grants must be applied for in the year that the leaving certificate is taken and must be taken up within two years; (c) all students are assessed on the basis of the means test of the year in which they sat the leaving certificate and not on the basis of any revisions of the means tests; and (d) the higher education grant is not tenable on one year courses.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
691.
Mr. De Rossa
The following is the position: (a) in order to qualify for a higher education grant, a student must comply with the provisions of the relevant grants scheme, including the means test. There is no special provision in relation to mature students; (b) it is open to a person who qualifies academically for a higher education grant in the leaving certificate examination of a particular year and who does not wish to enter on a course of third level education immediately, to apply for the grant in the year he/she sat for the leaving certificate and avail himself/herself of the provision in the grants scheme whereby a grant may be deferred for two years or, in exceptional circumstances, for more than two years; (c) revisions of the means test provisions of the higher education grants scheme are introduced by way of the relevant scheme approved for the year in question. It is considered that such practice should be adhered to; (d) in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, a primary degree or other course must, in order to be approved for the purpose of the tenure of a higher education grant, be of a minimum duration of two years. I consider such provision to be reasonable.
692.
Mr. De Rossa
asked the Minister for Education if it is his intention to increase the amount and scope of the higher education grants scheme to allow students who wish to study in colleges in Northern Ireland to avail themselves of realistic assistance.
This matter will be considered in connection with a review of the terms of the higher education grants scheme for 1982.
693.
Mr. De Rossa
asked the Minister for Education if it is his intention to increase the amount of the maintenance element of the higher education grant.
All aspects of the higher education grants scheme, including the question of the amount of the maintenance element of grant, are kept under review in the context of the preparation of the scheme for each year and the financial resources available for the purpose of the scheme.