Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the changes, if any, that have been introduced by him to the qualifying year for assessing reckonable income for self-employed persons for the maintenance grant and the HEAR programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34087/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have made no changes to the qualifying year for assessing reckonable income for the self-employed for the student grant.

For 2011/2012 academic year all relevant income arising between 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010 is considered. The same approach was used for previous academic years.

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions under this programme are regulated by the institutions themselves. Further details are available at www.accesscollege.ie.