Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Séamus Hughes

Ceist:

104 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for education the criteria set down by her Department for assessing whether a candidate's parent is separated for the purpose of the 1995 higher education grant scheme; and whether one of the candidate's parents can continue to live with the other parent for purposes of assessing eligibility. [13897/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Under the 1968 Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act local authorities are charged with the administration of the higher education grant schemes approved each year by the Minister for Education.

The higher education grants scheme 1995 states that in cases where the candidate's parents are legally separated, the reckonable income shall be that of the parent with whom the candidate resides; it shall also be that of the parent with whom the candidate resides where that parent is not legally separated but where it can be established by the local authority in accordance with other criteria specified for the purpose by my Department that the parent is separated. These criteria are that the parent must present a current deserted wife's benefit book or a current lone parent's allowance book or a maintenance agreement/order or an affidavit sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths that she/he is separated. It is a matter for local authorities to investigate and take appropriate action in cases where irregularities are suspected.

The Deputy's attention is drawn to the provision in the higher education grants scheme 1995 which stipulates that, if an applicant's failure to provide full and complete information is the result of a deliberate material omission or inaccuracy, the applicant will be liable to prosecution, loss of grant and repayment, with interest, of any portion of a grant already received.

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

105 Mr. P. Gallagher (Donegal South West) asked the Minister for Education the resources she intends to make available to permit the transfer of student fees and maintenance grants to Irish students who wish to take up postgraduate positions in universities or third level institutions in other EU member states, with particular reference to British colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13923/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Under the provisions of the higher education grant schemes grants are not tenable outside Ireland. However, the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement of 8 February 1995 announced the Government's intention that maintenance grants under the schemes of third level student support will be extended to approved courses being followed by Irish students abroad with effect from the 1996-97 academic year. The details in relation to implementation of this initiative are being considered by my Department at present.