Sir, – Is it now reasonable to expect that the members and officials of Clare County Council will be as stringent in assessing the accuracy of the declarations of income from the self-employed accompanying applications for third-level education grants as it would appear they will be in excluding the children of applicants who have failed to pay the household charge (“Two county councils link household charge to grants”, Breaking News, September 18th)? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – It looks like a re-introduction of the hedge schools is on the way. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Congratulations to Clare County Council on its brilliant initiative to winkle out non-payers of the household charge.
There is a painfree solution to hand in the case of non-payers: simply arrange to deduct the amount owed on the charge from the grant due. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I don’t understand why anyone should be surprised if county councils refuse grants to people who haven’t paid the household charge.
In my experience of applying for third-level grants in the recent past, they were always dependent on people being tax-compliant. Up-to-date tax documents for myself, my husband and my daughter (including P45s for short-term part-time jobs she had), were necessary.
The blame for all this confusion rests with those irresponsible TDs who encourage citizens to break the law. – Yours, etc,