Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

922 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the earlier issuing of higher education grant applications could be of great assistance in having grants paid to eligible students at the commencement of the college year in relation to correspondence (details supplied); if he will have examinations made into the position concerning the calculation of income for self-employed parents of applicants and introduce the necessary changes to ensure that income figures as agreed by the Revenue Commissioners would be the agreed figures for higher education grant purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18136/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

The higher education grants scheme 1999 issued to all local authorities on the 8 July 1999. Arrangements had been made to have copies of the application forms and notes delivered by courier, to all local authority offices earlier that week. The later issue of the schemes is attributable in part to the introduction this year of a composite application form for all four student support schemes. The application form and notes were redesigned by a working group comprising representatives of various local authorities, vocational education committees and my Department's student support unit. Those LAs and vocational education committees that were not represented on the working group were also invited to make suggestions. All proposals were considered and implemented where feasible. I believe that the new application form and notes have been very well received by both the authorities involved and individual applicants.

Copies of the application form and notes were supplied to the grant awarding authorities for the first time this year. Prior to this, each authority bore the responsibility of having their own application forms and notes printed. Therefore, the direct provision of the relevant forms facilitated their immediate distribution to applicants.

The closing date for applications are prescribed in the scheme was 6 August 1999. The local auth orities have discretion to accept late applications and generally do so. Indeed, it appears that up to half of all applicants only submit their applications following the release of the leaving certificate results and CAO college offers.

The local authorities process their applications as speedily as possible and will issue grant payments to eligible students as early as possible in the academic year. I am not aware of any difficulties being encountered to date. I would point out to the Deputy that delays in confirming grant entitlements can arise for a variety of reasons, including incomplete application forms, queries, etc.

The assessment of means under the third level student support schemes maintenance grants scheme, in the case of both the employed and self-employed is based on gross income with certain deductions for specified social welfare and health board payments. Any proposal to move to introduce a different method of means assessment system would have significant financial implications in addition to equity issues which would have to be addressed.