Vol. 427 No. 8
52 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will provide support grants to students attending European Colleges, similar to those provided to students at Irish Colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
53 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to ease the burden on parents who receive no grant aid to send their children to third level education.
80 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education if she has carried out any review of the administration of the higher education grants scheme with particular reference to the long delays in payment which are occurring in some local authorities; and the plans, if any, she has to ensure that grants are paid on time to the students concerned.
90 Mr. D. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education if she intends to continue the programme of improvements in the third level grant area introduced by the previous Government; and the changes, if any, she intends to bring about in this academic year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 53, 80 and 90 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government states the Government's intention to widen access to third-level education, including continued improvement of the Higher Education Grants scheme. This will be done particularly in the context of anticipated support for third-level education under the new Structural Funds.
I am particularly conscious of the effects of delays in grant payments on students and their families. Some of the delays in the current year arose from the range of new arrangements introduced in 1992. I hope that these will not recur in future. My Department is currently examining the operation of the scheme and this will include addressing with the relevant authorities the elimination of unnecessary delays in payment.
Students attending European Colleges as part of EC programmes, such as Erasmus, continue to receive student support.
