611 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if the eligibility for higher education grants for two persons (details supplied) in County Wexford will be urgently approved; if he will clarify the position on their eligibility; and if both persons will have their grants approved and paid. [11582/01]

My Department has discussed the case raised by the Deputy with County Wexford VEC, the body responsible for the administration of the two grant schemes.

The two persons, to whom the Deputy refers, are sisters, one of whom applied to County Wexford VEC for assistance under the ESF-aided third level courses maintenance grants scheme for trainees 1999 (now known as the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees). As the reckonable income was, at that time, within the relevant income limits attaching to the scheme, the candidate in question was eligible to receive a maintenance grant for the 1999-2000 academic year.

The terms of the scheme state that the award of the grant is provisional for the 1999-2000 academic year and shall not be continued in any subsequent academic year unless the VEC is satisfied that the provisions of the scheme, including those relating to reckonable income, continue to be complied with.