Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 603 and 604 of 17 December 2008, the results of the survey of the 66 local authorities and vocational educational committees in respect of the status of applications for higher education grants; the figures for the recoupments made in respect of the 2008/09 academic year in relation to the allocation of funds for higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7911/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. 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 VECs in respect of the status of applications. The survey indicates, on a specified date, the number of applications received, the number of grants awarded, the number refused a grant and the status of other applications on hand. To date, 91% of the survey returns have been received in respect of applications for student grants for the academic year 2008/09. On receipt of the outstanding forms the details will be analysed.

€264m was spent on maintenance grants in respect of students attending further and higher education courses in the 2008 financial year, of which €231m related to higher education courses. 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 in respect of higher education grants amounted to €98.6m