Enda Kenny
Question:25 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Education if any amendments or changes are contemplated in the higher education grants scheme for mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Third Level Grant Scheme.
Charles Flanagan
Question:104 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if any amendments or changes are contemplated in the higher education grants scheme for mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Jim Higgins
Question:105 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if any amendments or changes are contemplated in the higher education grants scheme for mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 104, and 105 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, important and significant changes in relation to the eligibility of mature students for financial support, to pursue third level studies, were introduced in 1992.
The changes were designed to facilitate the access of older students to third level education by removing legal and financial obstacles in their path.
The essence of the changes were:
(1) Mature students who secure a place in a third level institution are automatically considered to meet the academic requirements for the award of a grant. Previously a student was not legally eligible for a grant unless they had a prescribed level of attainment in the Leaving Certificate,
and
(2) Mature students are now assessed on the basis of their incomes (and, if applicable, their spouses' incomes) rather than on their parents' income which had been the case hitherto.
These changes have been widely welcomed. They, of course, recognise the importance of ensuring a "second-chance" opportunity for adults to pursue third level education at various stages of their lives. They are no longer penalised because they did not proceed straight to college from secondary school or indeed because they did not complete the leaving certificate.
As I have indicated in reply to earlier questions, my Department is currently reviewing the operation of the student support schemes, taking account of the changes introduced last year.
In this context and in the context of the commitment in the Programme for Government to improve access to third level, I will address any further improvements which are necessary and possible to facilitate mature students pursuing third level studies.