Vol. 491 No. 3
461 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason students from Cork County Council area, who are attending third level colleges in the United Kingdom, are paid in punts, while third level students from all other counties attending similar third level colleges in the United Kingdom are paid their fees and grants in sterling. [11737/98]
I have had inquiries made with Cork County Council and it confirmed that grant holders pursuing their third level course of study in the United Kingdom are paid the Irish value of the maintenance grant converted to sterling, at the prevailing exchange rate.
This is in accordance with the payment procedure agreed with local authorities in 1996 when the student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other EU member states. Fees are not payable in respect of students studying outside Ireland.
