Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1998

Vol. 495 No. 7

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

720 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the anomalous position whereby, under the current higher education grant scheme, students who are studying overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom, do not benefit from free fees even though they may be eligible for and awarded a full maintenance grant based on a means test; if he will ensure that financial assistance towards fees is also provided to these students, in particular the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21439/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Irish students, along with all other EU students, including UK students, who commence courses in the UK in 1998-99, will be asked to contribute up to £1,000 per annum towards tuition fees for undergraduate courses. However, all EU students will be eligible for grant assistance from the UK authorities towards their undergraduate tuition fees, subject to the same conditions including means testing as will be applied to UK students. Irish students must apply for assistance, to their appropriate UK local education authority.

I would advise that the student in question contacts the appropriate UK local education authority to apply for grant assistance towards his tuition fees. In this regard, I understand that the means test arrangements are such that students who qualify for maintenance grants under the higher education grant scheme will generally qualify for grant assistance towards their tuition fees.