Vol. 509 No. 6
601 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to a school transport grant for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21354/99]
I understand that the student referred to by the Deputy received the adjacent rate of maintenance grant from County Donegal VEC in respect of his attendance at a PLC course during the 1998-99 academic year, under the terms of the 1998 ESF-aided maintenance grants scheme for students attending PLC courses.
Under the terms of this scheme, maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The vocational education committee decides the rate applicable in each particular case. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grant-holder's normal residence is 15 miles or less from the PLC centre being attended. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The distance from the student's normal residence to the PLC centre in question was confirmed to be 15 miles and accordingly, he was correctly awarded the adjacent rate of grant.
