Vol. 547 No. 3
365 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if the special rate of maintenance third level grant payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/02]
I refer to my reply to the Deputy's parliamentary Question No. 1107 of 30 January 2002, which relates to this case.
The person, to whom the Deputy refers, had his application for the special rate of maintenance grant refused by the relevant VEC and had submitted an appeal to my Department. My Department has upheld the VEC's decision in this case as the person concerned did not fulfil the conditions governing the award of the special rates.
The eligibility requirements for the special rates of maintenance grant will be reviewed with a view to extending eligibility. A first step will be to assess the coverage and effectiveness of the implementation of the special rates in this first year of operation.
