Michael Ring
Ceist:551 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being refused a third level grant. [15911/02]
Vol. 554 No. 5
551 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being refused a third level grant. [15911/02]
The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. 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 s/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, s/he 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-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. However, it is not open to me, or my Department, to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases.
552 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are grants available to assist a single mother of three children who is a non-EU national, to study nursing here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the fees are over ?9,000; and if assistance can be given to persons in this situation as a matter of urgency. [15912/02]
Under the terms of the free fees initiative my Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges.
553 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a decision is made on an application for a VEC grant by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15914/02]
The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. My Department also funds the maintenance grants scheme for students pursuing post leaving certificate courses, which is administered by the vocational education committees.
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 s/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, s/he may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC.