Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 10

Written Answers. - Erasmus Programme.

Pat Cox

Question:

20 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Education if, in relation to the Erasmus programme, her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by Irish students who embark upon this programme arising from the fact that Irish students go from a low cost to a high cost economy and thereby are confronted with expenses that make this programme extremely difficult for them and their parents to cope with; and the steps, if any, she intends to take at EC level to remedy this situation.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

67 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education if, in relation to the Erasmus programme, her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by Irish students who embark upon this programme arising from the fact that Irish students go from a low cost to a high cost economy and thereby are confronted with expenses that make this programme extremely difficult for them and their parents to cope with; and the steps, if any, she intends to take at EC level to remedy this situation.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 67 together.

The Erasmus programme, which is funded by the Commission of the European Communities, encourages third level students to pursue their studies for a period of up to one year in another member state. While participating in the programme, students receive a mobility grant from the EC Commission. This student mobility grant is not a full grant but should be seen rather as a contribution towards such costs as travel expenses between home and host country; costs of language courses taken in preparation for the period of study abroad; and extra expenses arising from higher costs of living in the host country.

The scheme does recognise that students can face higher living costs when studying in other member states. Factors taken into account include the length of the period to be spent abroad and the student's destination. Participants who are in receipt of higher education grants in Ireland continue to have their fees paid and to benefit from their grants during the period of study in another member state.

The success of the Erasmus programme is high lighted by the large number of applicants each year, and by the exceptionally high rate of participation by Irish students. With such a high level of participation, it is inevitable that the level of grant assistance is lower.

The Erasmus programme is widely recognised as a most successful EC programme. The current phase of the programme terminates in 1994 and I shall make every effort at EC level to secure a commitment to the provision of additional resources to support large scale student exchanges and a higher level of student mobility grant to individual students under the eventual arrangements for the new phase of the programme.