§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with the National Assembly for Wales the procedure for applying for Education Maintenance Allowance. [173110]
§ Mr. TouhigThe National Assembly Wales are currently collaborating with the Northern Ireland Office on a single delivery system for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for both countries.
The introduction of EMAs in Wales is following the success of the pilot schemes in England and Scotland over the last three years. Wales and Northern Ireland will now join the scheme on a common basis for the UK. The criteria and eligibility for young people throughout the UK wishing to apply for the EMA is already available on the DfES website, and is outlined in the Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning's press notice of 27 April.
Although full details of the workings of the Welsh system are not yet available, they will be in place in time for young people aged 16 starting full-time education in September this year.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with the National Assembly for Wales the timetable for enabling people in Wales to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance. [173111]
§ Mr. TouhigThe Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning announced on 27 April the introduction of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in Wales for the academic year starting in 2004.
The Assembly is currently working on their system for the delivery of EMAs for young people in Wales aged 16–19 and aims to have detailed information on their website as soon as possible. Young people will be able to apply when they return to their chosen education path in the new academic year in September.