John Ellis
Ceist:164 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education whether the extension of grants to third-level students studying abroad extends to mature students. [5517/96]
Written Answers. - Students Studying Abroad.
John Ellis
Ceist:165 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the conditions, if any, that apply to her recent statement in respect of third-level grants for students studying outside the country. [5518/96]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
A decision in principle has been taken to extend maintenance grants to qualifying Irish students studying approved courses abroad with effect from the 1996-97 academic year.
The detailed arrangements to give effect to this extension are being finalised in my Department at present. These arrangements involve the inclusion of the relevant courses abroad among the approved courses for the purposes of qualifying for receipt of a maintenance grant under the 1996 schemes of student support. The specimen schemes, in accordance with practice in recent years, will issue to local authorities by early May.
Generally speaking successful applicants for student grants apply for, and are provisionally awarded, their grants in advance of knowing which of the approved courses they will eventually pursue in order to qualify for grant payment. Such students, mature or otherwise, who subsequently pursue an approved course, which in the schemes of 1996 and subsequent years will include specified courses abroad, will qualify for payment of their grants.