asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to increase the income limit from £1,600 upwards for eligibility for full student grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Student Grant Eligibility.
4.
As announced on 10th September, 1976, a fundamental review is being carried out of the terms of the scheme which would apply as from the academic year 1977-78.
Will the Minister say when the result of this fundamental review, which he said was under way when we debated this matter by way of Private Members' motion, will be published?
All the information is in and it is being processed at the moment. I hope the result of the review will be available in a few weeks, or in a month at the most.
Does the Minister recall stating that he hoped he would have the result of this review and the policy proposals on which he would take decisions about the end of this month?
I do not recall saying that but if the Deputy tells me I did I accept it. As I said earlier, I hope the result of the review will be available in a few weeks.
Does the Minister accept that an announcement that the eligibility limits will be raised is important at this stage so that people can plan for the academic year 1977-78?
I accept that any changes should be announced as soon as possible.
Would the Minister not put it in a different way and state categorically that eligibility limits will be raised for the academic year 1977-78?
If I was going to do that there would have been no need for me to collect all the material on which to base such a decision.
Would the Minister not accept the proposition that when a working man earning between £30 and £31 a week with one qualifying child is excluded from the scheme there is need for an immediate announcement regarding raising the eligibility limit?
When we had a debate on a Private Members' motion regarding this matter I answered the points now raised by Deputy Wilson and other points raised by other Members. I do not think I should add anything further until I see the results of the survey.
Will the Minister accept that the officials charged with this study have been very dilatory? They have been engaged on this work since last September but it is reasonably contended that such a study could be concluded within three weeks at the most.
There should not be any reflection on officials. The Minister is responsible——
I do not accept what the Deputy has said——
What I have said is true. The Minister is an honest man and in his heart he knows I am telling the truth.
If the Deputy stops shouting at me I will try to finish my reply.
The situation is so bad it is ridiculous.
May I reply? I do not accept that the officials were dilatory. As I explained on the Private Members' motion, much information had to be gathered from county councils throughout the country——
I did that myself.
It is impossible for me to reply with all the interruptions. I do not think I ever interrupted anybody in this House. All the county councils had to be consulted and the data collected. Frequently they did not reply when they were first written to and they had to be reminded on a number of occasions before all the necessary information was obtained. I certainly do not accept that the officials involved were dilatory.