Vol. 482 No. 8
271 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science whether he has ascertained from the councils and corporations around the country if higher education grant payments are being paid in a timely manner; if he will give details of the performance of each local authority in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19396/97]
The arrangements for the payment of grants under the higher education grants scheme are a matter for the local authorities, who are statutorily entrusted with the administration of the scheme under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. I understand that all the local authorities have paid the first instalment of the student grants for the 1997-98 academic year, with the exception of some cases where they are awaiting further information from applicants or where late applications were accepted.
