Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2006
217 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare on invalidity benefit who does not qualify for a top-up grant; her plans to address this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21480/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the student support grant schemes assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment.
The process of assessing eligibility for third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant Local Authority or VEC.
Officials of my Department contacted Higher Education Grants Section of Laois County Council, the awarding authority referred to by the Deputy in this case. It is understood that there is no record of an application being received under the surname referred to by the Deputy.
218 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to be in a position to notify the various authorities who administer third level education maintenance grants the details of the scheme for the forthcoming year; the expected income limits of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21481/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of reviewing the thresholds for eligibility and the grant levels for the 2006/07 academic year is currently on-going. Decisions on the 2006 schemes will be announced as soon as this process is completed.
The application forms and notes for the 2006/07 academic year have issued electronically to the awarding bodies and the forms and notes are also available on the Department's website www.education.ie.
