Vol. 340 No. 7
asked the Minister for Education if, arising from the statement contained in the document Principal Features of the Budget, she will indicate by how much it is intended to reduce the grants available to students under the European Social Fund training scheme; and from what date it is intended to implement the reduction.
569.
asked the Minister for Education the proportion of a grant paid to a student under the European Social Fund training scheme which is met from (a) Government and (b) EEC funds.
I propose to take questions Nos. 568 and 569 together.
The amount of the maintenance grant under the higher education grants scheme is differentiated on the basis of residence in or outside the environs of a university or other third level institution. In future, the maintenance element under the ESF grants scheme will be differentiated on the same basis. The European Social Fund recoups 55 per cent of expenditure on approved courses.
