Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 1

Written Answers. - Vocational Education Committee Grants.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

163 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if he will review the provision whereby Kildare Vocational Education Committee in the consideration of income limits for eligibility for vocational educational committee grants discriminate against students where one or both parents was unemployed in the year in which the student did his/her leaving certificate; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such student grant applications are subject to annual review on income grounds resulting in further hardship to students whose parents have already suffered the hardship of unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. Davern)

Under the terms of the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme it is open to a committee to carry out an annual review of the income of the scholarship applicants parents and to adjust the category of scholarship payable in the event of an increase or decrease in means.

It is understood that it is in this context that the County Kildare Vocational Education Committee carry out an annual review of income in each individual case. I am satisfied that this practice does not discriminate against students whose parents are unemployed.