asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to extend the higher education grants scheme to benefit families with a number of children in third level education and also mature students.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
22.
I am conscious of the position of families which have more than one child simultaneously in third level education and I will consider this matter further in the context of the 1987 student support schemes.
While there is no specific provision in the higher education grants and VEC scholarships schemes relating to mature students, there is no upper age limit in the scheme at present and it is, therefore, open to a mature student to sit for the leaving certificate examination in the normal way for the purposes of qualifying for a grant on grounds of academic attainments. I will, however, consider the matter further in the context of the grant and scholarship schemes for 1987.