Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students in County Meath still awaiting the first instalment of the maintenance grant; the date that has been set for the second instalment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8382/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Third Level Maintenance Grant Schemes, are administered by the Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees' on behalf of my Department. The arrangement for the payment of grants and refunds of student service charges under the grant schemes are a matter for the administering authorities.

Some 30 students who have been awarded a maintenance grant by County Meath VEC are awaiting payment of the first instalment. This payment cannot issue until the Final Course Acceptance Forms are returned by the students. The second instalment was paid on the 19th January 2010 by County Meath VEC.

Some 112 students who have been awarded a maintenance grant by Meath County Council are awaiting payment of the first instalment. This cannot issue until the Final Course Acceptance Forms are returned by the students (of the 112 students 41 have returned the acceptance forms to date and will be ready for payment this week). The second instalment was paid in the first week of February 2010 by Meath County Council.