§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many students at further education colleges studying Nursery Nurses Education Board courses have had a reduction in their grants in the current academic year; [16264]
(2) if he will take steps to resolve outstanding problems in relation to the funding of NNEB courses at colleges of further education; [16265]
472W(3) if he will instruct education and library boards to honour their full maintenance and tuition grant commitment to students studying NNEB courses at further education colleges. [16266]
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 26 February 1996]: Some 56 students studying National Nursery Examination Board courses at further education colleges have had a reduction in their grants in the current academic year. On 20 February, my Department approved an amendment to the discretionary awards arrangements which will enable education and library boards to pay full grant to these students. I am not aware of any problems in relation to the funding of these courses at colleges.