Vol. 528 No. 3
243 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not entitled to a higher education grant from Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30139/00]
The statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education.
The assessment of means under the third level maintenance grants scheme is based on gross income. Certain social welfare and health board payments are not taken into account, in the calculation of reckonable income. When assessing income from self-employment-farming, the amount assessed is the adjusted profit-loss for income tax purposes from all self-employment activities, both Irish and foreign, whether or not they are exempted or relieved from Irish income tax. Capital allowances and other capital related costs, such as interest on borrowings used to purchase fixed assets, are not deductible from the adjusted profit, in computing reckonable income for grant purposes.
The student in question is currently pursuing the second year of a bachelor of arts degree course at UCD. My Department understands from Galway County Council, the body charged with the administration of the grants scheme in this case, that she did receive a maintenance grant, at the non-adjacent rate, in respect of her attendance on the first year of the course, in the academic year 1999-2000. However, her eligibility for grant assistance in respect of the current academic year was re-assessed by Galway County Council, under the terms of the scheme. It was established that the reckonable income in this case exceeds the income limits set down in the 2000 scheme, in order to qualify for a grant. Accordingly, she is not eligible for a maintenance grant in respect of the current academic year.
However, the student in question did qualify for a fees-only grant and, in this regard, she will benefit from a grant of £292 in respect of the charge for student services, registration and examinations.
The terms and conditions of the student support schemes are of general application and, accordingly, it is not open to me to make exceptions in individual cases such as this.
