Vol. 415 No. 4
147 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the costs that are incurred by local authorities in carrying out the necessary administration on behalf of the Department of Education in respect of higher education grants; if he will undertake to compensate local authorities for this particular cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the concern of local authorities in relation to the costs incurred in the administration of higher education grants schemes. The Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, which provides for the recoupment of the cost of grants paid by local authorities, does not provide for the recoupment of the administration cost of the scheme. My Department is in contact with the Department of Education on the matter.
