Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if financial assistance by way of increased higher education maintenance grant will be provided to persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12676/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the means test provisions of my Department's maintenance grant schemes a candidate, other than an independent mature candidate, is assessed on his or her income and the income of his or her parents proper to the previous tax year, that is for the 2005-2006 academic year a candidate's reckonable income for the purpose of the higher education grant scheme is the income proper to the 2004 tax year reckonable income for the year ended 31 December 2004. 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.

There is provision under the schemes of student support for an adverse change in circumstances regarding reckonable income. As per the change in circumstances provision of all four of the Department's maintenance grant schemes, the eligibility of a person may be assessed or re-assessed by the grant awarding body in the event of changes in circumstances regarding, inter alia, the reckonable income which is likely to be permanent. Where an adverse change in reckonable income occurs, the assessment is based on the current income annualised, as necessary, rather than the actual income for the tax year in question.

My Department has contacted Galway County Council, the awarding body responsible for assessing the grant applications for the students referred to by the Deputy. Galway County Council has confirmed that the candidates referred to were awarded the NA3 rate of maintenance grant plus a grant for the student services charge, €775 in both cases. My Department understands that the candidates have not submitted compelling proof regarding any permanent change in reckonable income. Should such proof be provided by the candidates, Galway County Council will be able to review the grant applications for the current academic year.