Kerry VEC scholarship application
Begley challenged the rejection of a Kerry applicant who applied after the scholarship deadline, arguing he should be allowed to apply the following year as with county council scholarships. Tunney said the committee’s regulations and standard practice did not permit an exception; the exchange ended amid personal criticism and the Chair moving to other questions.
asked the Minister for Education why a person (name supplied) in County Kerry will not qualify for a scholarship from Kerry VEC.
Comment on this
The person named by the Deputy made application for a scholarship on 18 October 1976 to County Kerry Vocational Education Committee. All available scholarships had by then been allocated by the committee to candidates who had submitted applications before the 13 August 1976, which was the prescribed closing date for the receipt of applications under the terms of the committee's scheme.
Comment on this
This person was debarred from applying the second time. Even though he was late the first year, he applied the following year and his application would not be accepted by the vocational education committee. This is what I think is unduly harsh, because if one is late for a county council scholarship one can apply the following year. Would the Minister look at the position again in that respect?
Comment on this
The Deputy will accept that what has occured here occurs everywhere. However unfortunate it may be for the boy in question, anything that might help him would be a departure from the standard which obtains in every county.
Comment on this
Why would the same standard not apply which is applicable to county council university scholarships? Why does the same not apply to VEC scholarships, that, if one is late the first year one can apply the following year? Would the Minister consider that?
Comment on this
What applies here and has happened here is in accordance with the prescribed regulations. I do not think the Deputy would be suggesting that we should depart from those.
Comment on this
I suggest that if he applies the following year in time the application should be accepted.
Comment on this
How is it that it can apply for university scholarships and at county council level?
Comment on this
The Minister is not interested in the people going to the VEC, it is as simple as that.
Comment on this
It is extraordinary that the Deputy could not convince his own Minister for Education of that last year.