asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the special higher education grant scheme for mature women students.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grant Scheme.
296.
A special higher education grant scheme for mature women students operated on a once-off basis under the aegis of my Department for the academic year 1987-88. I have decided to implement the scheme again for the 1988-89 academic year. Details of the scheme, as follows, were announced recently by the Government Information Service.
Special Grant Scheme for Mature Women Students.
The Minister for Education, Mary O'Rourke, TD, has announced that up to ten grants of £1,000 each will be awarded this year to mature women students in respect of the 1988-89 academic year.
Details of the grants are attached.
"I am delighted to announce the continuation of the grants this year". Mary O'Rourke said "Since the scheme was inagurated in 1985 forty-five women have already been assisted in this way. All the recipients have shown great determination in furthering their education and indeed made sacrifices to achieve their goals. I know from speaking with a number of them that these grants have been of great benefit and have been warmly welcomed by all concerned."
Up to 10 grants will be awarded in respect of course expenses, payable to a maximum of £1,000, to mature women students in respect of the academic year 1988-89. Each applicant must comply, inter alia, with the following conditions:
—be aged 25 years or over;
—be unwaged or on a low income;
—have completed successfully at least one year of an approved undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate course;
—have re-enrolled for the 1988-89 academic year;
—not be in receipt of a grant, scholarship or funding from any other source;
—provide information on the financial circumstances of the household/individual.
Preference will be given to those pursuing courses specifically geared towards industry, business, science and technology or any area where women may have been traditionally underrepresented.
Full details of the scheme, together with application forms are available, on request, from the Department of Education, 3rd Floor, Hawkins House, Hawkins Street, Dublin 2 (Telephone: 734700, Ext. 2560/2561). Completed application forms must be returned to the same address not later than Monday, 7 November 1988.