Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 3

Written Answers. - Education Grants.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

30 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Education if she is prepared to extend the scope of the higher education grants scheme and the ESF grants scheme so as to assist the maintenance costs for the thousands of students attending post-leaving certificate courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Mary Flaherty

Question:

66 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if she is prepared to extend the scope of the higher education grants scheme and the ESF grants scheme so as to assist the maintenance costs for the thousands of students attending pre-leaving certificate courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Liam Burke

Question:

69 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Education if she is prepared to extend the scope of the higher education grants scheme and the ESF grants schemes so as as to assist the maintenance costs for the thousands of students attending pre-leaving certificate courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Brendan McGahon

Question:

73 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Education if she is prepared to extend the scope of the higher education grants scheme and the ESF grants schemes so as to assist the maintenance costs for the thousands of students attending pre-leaving certificate courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 66, 69 and 73 together.

The present Higher Education Grant and ESF Maintenance Grant schemes are confined to students in the third level sector. I have no plans at this stage to extend grants towards maintenance costs to students attending PLC courses. To do so would involve full year costs of the order of £9 million at current levels of PLC provision. In view of the fact that the large bulk of these courses are locally delivered, thus minimising costs to students, the enlargement of the number of PLC places would possibly represent a better use of any available resources, for the benefit of a larger number of students.