asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the case of a student (details supplied) in County Donegal where the joint earnings of his parents is £12,890 which is £140 in excess of the maximum allowed to parents with five children who applied for a higher education grant and because of this disqualification a grant of £925 which had been allocated to the students has now been withdrawn; if, in view of the gross unfairness of such a system, she will reconsider the position by altering the regulations to pay the balance between the grant allowed, and the amount in excess of the maximum qualifying figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grant.
633.
The grants payable are calculated on a graduated basis with reference to a maximum number of six dependent children in accordance with the provisions of an approved published scheme which is of general application. It is not open to me to vary the terms of the application of the scheme in the case of an individual family in the manner suggested in the question from the Deputy.