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Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (264, 265)

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

326 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to extend eligibility for third level maintenance grants to single parents under 23 years of age who are living independently (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27766/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

327 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to extend to married persons under 23 years of age the right to be assessed on their own income for the purposes of eligibility to third level education grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27767/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.

The decision on eligibility for maintenance 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.

Under the terms of the Department's maintenance grants scheme, a mature student is defined as a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course.

When assessing students other than independent mature students, the means test provision of the scheme specifies that the students' means and those of their parents or guardians 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.

The Deputy will appreciate that the terms of the schemes are of general application and it is not open to me to make exceptions in individual cases. It is not proposed. in the foreseeable future, to change the current position in relation to the assessment of students under 23 years of age.

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