Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 4

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grant Withdrawal.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

234 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider her decision to have a higher education grant withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny even though he was notified in writing by Kilkenny County Council that he was awarded this grant; and the reason this person is being penalised because of his success in obtaining a scholarship to the Royal College of Surgeons even though his family circumstances are such that he qualified for this particular grant.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Kilkenny County Council is the body statutorily entrusted with the administration of the higher education grants scheme in this case. I understand that, the person in question was awarded a scholarship by the Royal College of Surgeons, and was also awarded a higher education grant by Kilkenny County Council, subject to the limits imposed in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

I have, however, a certain sympathy with the circumstances of this case and I am having the matter considered further in my Department.