asked the Minister for Education if he will ensure that higher education grants will be available to all students with the required educational qualifications.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
20.
Higher education grants are available to all candidates who meet the educational requirements of the local authorities' schemes, provided that they are otherwise eligible for grants under those schemes.
Will the Minister ensure that on the eve of 1980 the students who qualify educationally will get their grants irrespective of the means of their parents?
That is a separate question.
It is not.
The question on the Order Paper asks if the Minister will ensure that higher education grants will be available to all students with the required educational qualification?
The higher educational grants are not available to all students at present. We should look at the educational requirements. The grant is not available to all students because of a means limit and that is what I am asking the Minister to change.
I answered the Deputy's question that grants are available to all who meet the requirements of the scheme.
I maintain that the educational requirements should be sufficient. Because a student's father or mother has an income in excess of the limits laid down by the Department, that deprives the student of a grant. At present those who measure up to the educational requirements do not get grants because their parents' means are deemed to be in excess of the income limits.
There are income limits in the scheme.
Question No. 21.
Does the Minister propose to change the income limits or to abolish them?
I raised the income limits from £2,950 to £6,100 since I took office less than three years ago. I raised the actual grant by 100 per cent since then. The Deputy was on these benches long enough and he never opened his mouth to improve these grants.
Surely the Minister will agree that this is most unfair to students? In relation to the Minister's statement that I was on those benches long enough and never raised that question, the fact is that I have been raising that question since before the Minister became a Member of this House.
I heard a strange silence when the grants did not move for four years.
Deputy Wilson is the Minister.
That is correct, and I am accepting responsibility.
Will the Minister abolish these income limits?
The Deputy has asked that several times in several ways. Question No. 21 please.
The Minister may do something. Will the Chair give him an opportunity?
The Deputy asked that question several times and the Minister answered it.
Has the Minister in mind to make any move——
Deputy Kenny wishes to ask a question.
Has the Minister any plans to increase the amount of State expenditure on primary pupils as against third level pupils because there is an injustice there?
That is a separate question.
It is related to the amount of money spent on third level education.
It is a very pertinent question but I will answer it if the Deputy puts it down.