Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
168 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will consider changing the provision in the higher education grants scheme which require an independent mature student who is not ordinarily resident at home with his or her parents from the October preceding their entry to an approved course to the date of taking up the course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23974/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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: the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme; and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees.
My Department's higher education grant schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. Under these Acts, a mature student is defined as a person of not less than 23 years of age on 1 January in the year of entry to an approved third level institution. The Acts further provide, inter alia, for the making of grants to mature students whose means and those of their parents, where the mature students are dependent on their parents do not exceed prescribed limits.
Under the terms of the higher education grants schemes, mature students are categorised as either independent mature students or mature students dependent on parents. An independent mature student is defined to mean a mature student who was not ordinarily resident at home with his or her parents from the October preceding his or her entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are assessed without reference to either their parents' income or address.
Similar provisions apply in regard to the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees. Any revision in the terms of the scheme would have to be considered in the light of available financial resources and other competing demands in the education sector. There are no plans at present to change the eligibility criteria in this regard.
169 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of independent mature students as defined under the higher education grants scheme who received grants under the scheme in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23975/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statistical information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available in my Department. The information requested is being compiled, in so far as it is available, and will be issued directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
