Ulick Burke
Ceist:863 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reconsider his decision to refuse a higher education grant to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9257/02]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The assessment of means under the third level student support schemes is based on gross income from all sources with specified social welfare and health board payments being excluded from the calculation. In the calculation of reckonable income account must be taken of all gifts and inheritances with the following exceptions: in the case of independent mature candidates, gifts and inheritances between a candidate and spouse; and in the case of all other candidates gifts and inheritances between parents or guardians and those received by the candidate from parents/guardians.
As the inheritance in the case referred to by the Deputy is not one the exceptions specified under the schemes, it must be included in the calculation of reckonable income. While my Department understands that the reckonable income in this case exceeds the prescribed limits for the award of a grant in 2001-02, the candidate may be re-assessed for grant assistance in future years.