Estimates, 1982. - Vote 33: Higher Education. – Dáil Éireann (23rd Dáil) – Friday, 9 Jul 1982

Estimates, 1982. - Vote 33: Higher Education.

Minister for Education (Professor O'Donoghue)

I move:

That a sum not exceeding £90,388,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1982, for grants-in-aid of An tÚdarás um ArdOideachas, certain Higher Education Institutions and Services and the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

There is, in addition, a token Supplementary Estimate for an additional sum of £10 to deal specifically with the Cork Hospital Board general expenses. It effects some sort of internal transfer.

Mr. Boland

The Minister has accepted that the Government had the capability of changing Estimates wherever they so desired and implementing those changes through their budget on 25 March. I should like the Minister to indicate to the House whether, in respect of this Vote, he is in a position to answer a question which was put to him by a Member some time ago, asking him if it was his intention to increase higher education grants during this year in line with an undertaking given by his party during the February election campaign.

Professor O'Donoghue

An early decision will be made on the details of the higher education grants scheme for the coming academic year.

Mr. Boland

In fact, that means that there will not be any increase in the grants this year because, as the Minister is aware, what is provided for in this Vote is money for the implementation of the existing higher education grants scheme in the form in which it was introduced last summer which represented, in many cases, an increase of up to two-thirds in the amount of grants being paid to eligible recipients. It doubled the income limits in respect of applicants. The sum provided for in the Vote for this year is to implement that scheme at those levels, £1,000 maximum grant. If an additional provision is not being made it would appear that there is no intention to increase the grants in line with the commitment given in the election. If there is an intention to increase the grant it would appear that the Minister is being less than fair to the House in presenting an Estimate which, obviosuly, will not be sufficient and will require adjustment. Apparently, a further Supplementary Estimate will be necessary later in the year when the £45 million saving is being effected.

Professor O'Donoghue

I can see why the Deputy would want to draw attention to the improvements in the higher education grants scheme announced last year. We know that that was some of the sugar to sweeten the pill of shoving up the school entry age. However, I should like to point out that a decision has not yet been taken. It will be taken very soon. If that decision requires additional expenditure it will be brought forward, as the Deputy correctly stated, in the form of a Supplementary Estimate at the appropriate time. There is no basis for the other remarks which the Deputy made.

Mr. Boland

That is wrong. This is 9 July and it is not possible in the ordinary way for a change to be implemented in the higher education grants scheme in respect of the academic year which commences next October. The Minister has chosen, as he did some weeks ago when questioned by Deputy De Rossa, not to answer the query honestly. I will answer that question now. There is no way at this time of the year, bearing in mind that those seeking higher education places have applied to the Central Applications Office in Galway where they were processed and placed on a computer, that changes can be made in the eligibility requirements for applicants for such grants. That will entail opening all the grant applications again and having to re-run the entire computer programme. It was only with extreme difficulty——

Acting Chairman

The Deputy will appreciate that he is making a speech now.

Mr. Boland

I submit I am entitled to do so.

Acting Chairman

In the course of his speech the Deputy said there was no grant. I must try to keep a balance.

Mr. Boland

I am entitled, in the course of a debate on an Estimate, to say that.

Acting Chairman

The Minister did not say that grants would not be available.

Mr. Boland

I am entitled to continue on those lines. There is no way a change can be implemented now. It was only with extreme difficulty, and following protracted discussions, that on 2 July last year I was able to persuade the higher education authority and the CAO office to reopen the computer records and implement the major changes that were made last summer. We are a week later this year and, to my knowledge, there is no way any major change in the scheme of grants can be introduced in time for the coming academic year. If it is the intention to make changes the Minister has not made financial provision in the Estimate for them. Obviously, if changes were proposed, financial provision would have been included in Vote 33, which is a Supplementary Estimate being introduced specifically for higher education and would be the appropriate vehicle whereby the funding of higher education in grant increases ought to be brought about. I am merely drawing the attention of the House to the fact that this was an undertaking given apparently during the February election. I think it is reasonable to ask whether the Minister is now accepting that his Government had the capability of altering Estimates to implement some of those undertakings? It is important to point out that it appears as if this is not being implemented, particularly important because the question was asked some two months ago and the Minister indicated then that he would be in a position before the summer to say whether or not the grants were being increased. I suppose the only complaint we could have is that the Minister has a different definition of "the summer".

Dáil Éireann debate - Friday, 9 Jul 1982