Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 8

Written Answers. - ESF Maintenance Grants.

Paul McGrath

Question:

252 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of (1) the number of students in receipt of European Social Fund maintenance grants for each of the years 1985 to 1991, (2) the total cost of these grants for each of these years respectively and (3) the proportional cost to the Irish Exchequer annually.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

The details requested by the Deputy in relation to ESF grants in vocational education committee colleges are as follows:

Year	Grantholders	Total Cost	Exchequer Cost
		£m	£m
1985 3rd. Level	10,321	7.389	3.325
1986 3rd. Level	10,606	8.865	3.989
1987 3rd. Level	11,499	9.763	4.843
1988 3rd. Level	12,283	11.109	5.455
1989 3rd. Level	19,327	14.365	6.510
1990 3rd. Level	20,232	19.743	6.910
1991 3rd. Level (Estimated)	22,176	21.176	8.987

Notes:

(i) ESF assisted grants ceased to be paid to second level students as and from September 1988.

(ii) The ESF third level grants scheme was expanded to include 3 year courses (diploma level) as and from September 1989.