Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of higher education grant applications made in 2008-2009; the number of successful applications; the number of applications that have been paid out to students; the number of unsuccessful applications; the number of applications that still have to be processed; if he will provide the information in tabular readable form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46652/08]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 604: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money allocated for higher education grants in 2008-2009; the amount of money that has been paid out to students to date for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46653/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 604 together.

My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarships Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses. The Higher Education Grants Scheme is administered by the local authorities. The other three schemes are administered by the Vocational Education Committees.

In January each year my Department carries out a survey of the 66 local authorities and VEC's in respect of the status of applications. The survey indicates, on a specified date, the number of applications received, the number awarded a grant, the number refused a grant and the status of other applications on hand. The details in respect of applications for student grants for the academic year 2008/09 will not be available until the January 2009 survey is completed and analysed.

In relation to the amount of money allocated for higher education grants I can confirm that the allocation in 2008 is €263 million. This allocation spans two academic years — the second and third recoupments of the 2007/08 academic year and the first recoupments of the 2008/09 academic year. The first recoupments of the 2008/09 academic year are currently being processed by my Department; this process will be completed by the end of December.