Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 8

Written Answers. - ESF Grants.

Michael Noonan

Question:

123 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused to students by the means testing for ESF grants; if he has reconsidered the decision of his predecessor; if he will reverse the decision prior to the issuing of Leaving Certificate results; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

Means testing as applied to students support schemes is intended to achieve a more equitable distribution of available funds.

Means testing for maintenance grants under the ESF aided scheme is intended to ensure that an increasing number of students from lower paid groups could be accommodated within the limit of resources available for that scheme.

Grants to existing ESF students will not be affected and I am also ensuring that all ESF students will not have to pay tution fees.

In addition as the Deputy is aware I am having the schemes reviewed with the following objectives.

The overall aim will be to ensure equity within and between the different schemes. The review will include the removal of any outstanding barriers which may militate against students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

To the extent that it is practicable and affordable it will seek to address the particular financial pressures on students from the lower to middle-income families.

The review will, in particular, re-examine the financial criteria for eligibility for student grants and develop more equitable means assessment criteria. But the same rules must apply to all.

The review is now well advanced and I expect to be in a position to bring proposals to Government shortly.