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Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004

Wednesday, 13 October 2004

Ceisteanna (119)

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

120 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will initiate an assessment of the higher education grants scheme administered by South Dublin County Council and the local authorities; if she will consider the problems being encountered, particularly the position of independent mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24749/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I understand that the Deputy is referring to queries arising during the grant assessment process in South Dublin County Council, and each of the local authorities, particularly in regard to the stipulations of the higher education grant scheme under which an applicant can be assessed as an independent mature student.

The higher education grants scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. These Acts define a mature student to mean a person "of not less than 23 years of age, or such other age as may stand specified for the time being in regulations made by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, who has secured a place in an approved institution and has reached that age on 1 January, or such other date as may be prescribed from time to time by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, in the year of entry to such institutions".

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 their entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are assessed without reference to either their parents' income or address.

When assessing the means of students, other than independent mature students, the schemes specify that the students' means and those of their parents or guardians where appropriate must be below a prescribed limit. This provision requires that parental income be taken into account irrespective of the individual circumstances in any case where the student is not an independent mature student.

If the Deputy has any particular issues which he wishes to bring to my attention I would have them examined having regard to the terms and conditions of the schemes.

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