Vol. 547 No. 1
1394 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will instruct Kilkenny County Council to process applications for the top-up scheme under the higher education grant scheme; and the reason for the delay in making payments. [2773/02]
In my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 6 December 2001, I indicated that the arrangements for the payment of maintenance grants under the higher education grants scheme are a matter for the local authorities, which are statutorily entrusted with the administration of the scheme under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968. With regard to the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, usually referred to as top-up grants, my Department has forwarded full details of this initiative to the local authorities with a request that payment be made with effect from the 2000-01 academic year.
Arrangements for payment of the special rates are a matter for the local authorities. My Department understands that Kilkenny County Council has commenced processing applications for the special rates of maintenance grants and hopes to issue payments in respect of successful applications shortly.
