Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 1

Written Answers. - Third Level Grants.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

105 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if he has any plans to revise and expand the terms of eligibility for third level grants for third level students; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 whereby this person who is aged 27, whose parents are pensioners, who is paying fees of £1,500 per year and has no income whatsoever, has been told that he does not quality for any higher education grants because he has not been 18 months unemployed before taking up a full time course; and if, in the circumstances any exceptional case can be made in order to assist this person to finish his degree course.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

I assume that when the Deputy states that the person in question does not qualify for any higher education grants because he has not been 18 months unemployed he is referring to the pilot scheme which is operated by the Department of Social Welfare. Under this scheme persons who are aged 23 years or over and are on the long term rate of unemployment assistance may retain their entitlements if they attend a full-time under-graduate third level course in an approved institution.

In so far as the higher education grants scheme coming under the aegis of my Department is concerned Dublin Corporation, the body statutorily entrusted with its administration in this case, has no record of an application for a higher education grant from the person in question.

I have recently set up a working group in my Department to review the criteria for the award of third level grants with a view to achieving greater equity and transparency.

Under improvements being introduced in the 1992 higher education grants scheme and related schemes for new entrants to third level education, mature students who secure a place on a third level course will meet the academic requirements for the award of a grant and may be assessed on the basis of their own income (and, if married, their spouse's incomes) rather than on their parents' income which has been the case up to now.

The improvements listed above can only apply, however, to persons who will be new entrants to third level in 1992.