Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
John Perry
Ceist:
718
Mr. Perry
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if financial assistance can be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo as this person will have to forfeit their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11403/02]
My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions and one grant scheme in respect of post leaving certificate courses: the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' scholarship; the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees; and maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate courses.
The statutory framework for the higher education grants schemes is set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. It is the local authorities which, on behalf of my Department, administer the schemes, which are reviewed annually by my Department. The vocational education committees' scholarship scheme, the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees and the scheme for PLC students are administered, on behalf of my Department, by the vocational education committees. All four schemes have similar provisions, relating, for example, to residency and means, which govern the award of a grant.
It is the relevant local authority or VEC to which application for a grant must be made. Decisions on applications are taken by these bodies based on the terms of the schemes that issue from my Department. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy. If an individual applicant considers that she or he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, they may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may, itself, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department. It is not open to me, or my Department, to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases. Until such time as an application has been decided on by the relevant local authority or VEC, all enquiries regarding an individual application should be directed to the body concerned rather than to my Department.
Question No. 719 answered with Question No. 642.
