asked the Minister for Education the estimated increase in the number of higher education grantholders as a result of the increases in grant levels and eligibility levels announced by him recently.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
24.
It is not possible to be more precise in regard to such an estimate than what was indicated in my statement of 12 February 1979, namely, that the increase in the income eligibility limits will result in an increase of some hundreds of students becoming eligible for higher education grants.
Is it not true that, in order to get the permission of the Cabinet to spend the necessary money, the Minister must have provided them with a detailed estimate of the extra numbers of students who would be attracted into the system as a result of the increased grants? Could he give us a more detailed figure?
When Government philosophy is such that they want to aid third-level grantholders it is not necessary to give strict details of the numbers who may enjoy the grants. The Deputy will realise that if the ceiling is increased by £1,000 there is no way of knowing how many will avail of it. There are too many variables. It is sufficient to say that whenever an increase was made in the eligibility limits there was a substantial increase in the numbers who were able to enjoy grants. I have already changed the upper limit from £4,200 to £5,100, and this is a further change to £6,100.
Would the Minister agree that an increase of several hundred on the total grant-aided figure cannot in any way be described as very substantial?
The Deputy will be aware that those who come in as a result of the increased eligibility this year will also hold grants the following year. The minimum is three years and in the case of certain faculties it is five or six years. It is true to say that there will be an increase in grantholders of several hundred students as a result of this rise in the eligibility limit.