Vol. 421 No. 6
58 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the progress which has been made with regard to implementing the commitment given in the Review of the Programme for Government that proposals would be brought forward to reform the third level grants scheme to ensure complete equity and transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
114 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the plans, if any, he has to revise the third level education grants scheme to make it more equitable, especially for middle income earners, and also for those who have more than one child in third level education.
115 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement regarding the intended amendments to the higher education grant scheme under which mature students will become eligible, including the outlines of the amendments intended; if he will confirm, if such be the case, that the amendment scheme will be in operation for the academic year 1992-93; and if he will make a statement on the matter in general.
116 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the changes in regulations in relation to grant accessibility for third level mature students; and if the revised arrangements will be in place for the next academic year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 114, 115 and 116 together.
A range of improvements in the Higher Education Grants Scheme is being introduced in the 1992 scheme for new entrants to third level this year.
The principal improvements are:
(a) The income eligibility ceiling for families will be increased by £2,000 for each child after the first child attending third level education.
(b) Income eligibility will be assessed on current income and income limits in the year of entry into third level rather than as heretofore, on the income limits income in the year in which the student sat the Leaving Certificate.
(c) Mature Students who secure a place in a third-level institution will automatically be considered to meet the academic requirements for the award of a grant.
(d) Mature Students may be assessed on the basis of their own incomes (and, if married, their spouses' incomes) rather than on their parents' income which has been the case up to now.
(e) Lone parent's welfare payments under the Lone Parent's Allowance Scheme will be excluded from the assessment of income for grant eligibility.
