Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grant assistance top-up schemes available to help third level students from disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33932/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A key area covered in the report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education — which was asked to advise on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote access by disadvantaged students — is the Special Rates of Maintenance Grant (also known as the Top-Up Grant). Eligibility is determined by reference to an income threshold and receipt of a long-term social welfare payment as set out as follows: 1. An applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant; 2. Total reckonable income in the relevant tax year must not exceed the lower income limits as set out in the relevant Maintenance Grant Schemes and, where applicable, net of Child Dependant Increase payments; and 3. As at the prescribed date — i.e. 31 December each year — the source of income must include one of the eligible long-term Social Welfare payments. For the 2006/2007 academic year the non-adjacent, ordinary grant plus the top-up has been increased to €5,970 and the adjacent rate to €2,390 i.e. a Top-Up of €2,860 and €1,145 respectively.

Financial Assistance is also available from my Department through the Student Assistance Fund which is ESF-aided and administered by the National Office for Equity of Access to Third Level Education (National Office). This Fund assists students who, having commenced a third-level course, experience financial hardship and, therefore, may be unable to continue their third-level studies. Applications for funding should be made by the individual student to the Access Officer in their institution. The Fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. The Millennium Partnership Fund is a community-based fund that supports retention and participation among under-represented groups of students in further or higher education. Partnership Companies and Community Groups manage the Fund locally. The following Area Partnership Company is in the Deputy's constituency area: Meitheal Mhaigheo, Lower Main Street, Foxford, Co. Mayo; (094)-9256745. The Fund is managed on behalf of my Department by Pobal in consultation with the National Office for Equity of Access to Third Level Education. Applications for Millennium funding are made annually by the Partnership Companies and Community Groups through Pobal, the state company established to promote social inclusion, reconciliation and equality in Ireland.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an application for a top-up grant in respect of third level education will be resolved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33933/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in my Department have been in contact with County Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee concerning the student referred to by the Deputy. I understand the candidate was awarded the full non-adjacent rate of the grant. However, the candidate did not qualify for the Special Rate of Maintenance grant for the 2006/07 academic year as the income does not include one of the approved Social Welfare payments.