(Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education if he intends to instruct third level colleges to charge full economic fees to students.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Third Level Colleges.
29.
No such decision has been made by me.
Is it in order for me to put some supplementary questions in relation to some anomalies in the grants system? There are three particular anomalies I have in mind. There is a rule that states that the honours required must be gained in one sitting and obviously this militates against the person who goes back to school to do a night course. There is the condition that states four honours are required for a grant even though less than four honours are required for the course in question. There is also the situation of students who wish to do a one-year third level course but who are not eligible for a grant, even though the one-year course may be part of a longer course.
I am aware of the anomalies to which the Deputy has referred. In my opinion there are a number of other anomalies in the operation of the grants system. I am having the structure of the grants system reviewed but at this point I should not like to prejudge the outcome of that examination. To the extent that State moneys are available to support students in third level institutions, my general intention will be to ensure that such moneys are given in the way that will best assist students who are most in need of financial support.
Will the Minister indicate if that examination will be completed before the commencement of the next college year?
I hope to have what I would call a first examination of these issues completed within two months.
Will the Minister state if any financial provision has been made for any changes that might be made in the scheme for the coming academic year?
I do not see how any financial provision could be made for something that is not decided yet.
Does that mean that the answer is no?
I think the Deputy is being somewhat mischievous. There are plenty of other matters for which provision had not been made even when Government decisions were taken. For instance, when I came to office I discovered that although my predecessor had announced provision for additional primary teachers there was no financial provision for that item. While I consider it reasonable for a government to make financial provision for their decisions, I do not think it reasonable to make hypothetical provision for some decision that is not yet taken. In my reply to Deputy De Rossa, I indicated that this question is being examined as a matter of urgency but it would not be feasible to arrive at a financial provision until the examination is complete and the decision taken.
In view of the fact that Deputy De Rossa's question related to changes that might be made prior to the beginning of the academic year next September, will the Minister state if he intends implementing those changes in respect of that academic year? If the reply is in the affirmative, will he say if the necessary financial provision will be made available by way of supplementary estimate?
I have said the question is being examined. There are a number of aspects of the financing of higher education and grants for students at these institutions that must be examined. I have indicated that I hope that matter will be completed not later than two months and I will then be in a position to see what decisions can be taken. To the extent that decisions are taken, the appropriate provision, financial or otherwise, will be made.
Will the Minister give some details of the improvements in the general grants scheme which his party undertook in the general election to implement for the coming financial year and which were not provided for in the budget?
I am not clear what the Deputy has in mind. If he cares to table a question on the subject I will answer it. The question being answered relates to fees of third level institutions.