asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the limitations in the scheme of educational grants paid by local authorities are rendering this scheme of little help to the students who qualify for inclusion in it.
27.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Educational Grants.
26.
asked the Minister for Education if he will increase the income limit for eligibility for university scholarships in view of the increased cost of living.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I do not accept that the higher education grants scheme is of little help to students who qualify for grants. In the academic year 1975-76 the amount expended on the grants was £2.4 million and the number of students assisted was 6,168. The question of increasing the income limits for eligibility is kept under continuing review in the context of available financial resources.
I have not had time to analyse the figures given, but as far as the income level for qualification for university scholarships is concerned the object is to assess the income limit. Does the Minister realise that there is such a thing as the income coming into a household as distinct from the family? There could be a family of one and there could be another family of three or four and the income has not the same effect in the respective cases. For instance, as has happened, if there are two members of a family who have qualified, the amount allowed by the Department would not satisfy the finishing requirements of one student. Bearing these facts in mind, I ask the Minister to have another look at the income levels.
I can give the Deputy that undertaking.
Taking Question No. 26, is the Minister satisfied that the limit for maintenance, which is now £300 maximum for somebody not living in a university town, is a disincentive to people to take up these grants, considering the inflation situation since 1973, since when there has not been any substantial increase?
The situation in regard to maintenance is as the Deputy says but I can assure him I am making continuing efforts to improve the situation in the context of available resources.
With regard to the ceiling of the income limit, is it not true that a family with one child and an income of between £30 and £31 per week will not get a full grant?
The tables are set out in a document which I can make available to the Deputy.
It is from that that I am asking the question.
The facts are truthfully stated by the Deputy.
Is it not making a complete farce of the scheme, £30 a week, one child and a full grant not available? We have not got a credible grant or maintenance system.
As I replied to Deputy Coughlan, it is proposed to make a fundamental review of the terms of the schemes which will apply as from the academic year 1977-1978.
That is not progress.
It is better late than never because when Fianna Fáil were in Government we got nothing at all.
The Deputy should not be talking through his hat. Who started this scheme?
I am here a long time and I think I know what I am talking about. I will not have the Deputy giving me any headlines.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Will Deputy Coughlan please desist?
It was a Limerick man who established the scheme. The Deputy should be proud of him.
(Interruptions.)
This is extremely disorderly. Will Deputy Wilson allow Question Time to proceed?