Vol. 440 No. 4
389 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the impact that high tuition fees and low grant levels are having on third level students, and the failure of the Government to raise means test thresholds to match the increase in the average industrial wage; if she intends to increase thresholds to meet the needs of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In accordance with the provisions of the Programme for a Partnership Government I am committed to widening access to third level education. As the Deputy will be aware, significant improvements were made in the student grants system in 1992 and 1993. These changes include more equitable and rigorous procedures for assessing income, major improvements in income eligibility limits and fee grants and an increase in the income limit for those with more than one child in full-time third level education.
Income limits were significantly increased, by up to 40 per cent in some instances, in 1992. They were increased in 1993 in line with the increase in the average industrial wage. For 1994 I have already announced an increase in the income limits in line with the average industrial wage and an increase in maintenance grants in line with inflation.
