Vol. 491 No. 3
454 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff employed by his Department to deal with higher education grants; and the additional provision, if any, made by his Department and by local authorities to cope with additional grant applications expected as a result of his decision to extend third level grants to post-leaving certificate students. [11674/98]
Staffing numbers in my Department are determined within Government policy on Civil Service numbers. Allocation of such staff within work areas of the Department is a matter for management.
Administation of grants for students in higher education is spread over a number of work areas in the Department. Approximately seven staff are fully engaged on the administration of higher education grants. Additionally, the work areas at senior management level are placed within the normal structures and are serviced by the normal support services.
The administrative arrangements with regard to the extension of grants to post leaving certificate students have not yet been finalised. The question of additional staff for this purpose can only be dealt with in accordance with Government policy and procedures on any such application.
