Jim Mitchell
Question:137 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost to the Exchequer in a full year of the third level education grants scheme; and the essential features of the scheme.
Written Answers. - Education Grants.
The 1994 estimates provision of grant-aid to students under the Department's third level student support is as follows:—
|
£000 |
|
|
Higher Education Grants |
55,126 |
|
Grants to Vocational Education Committee's in respect of Scholarships to Students. |
6,350 |
|
University Scholarships, Research Grants and Fellowships |
535 |
|
Grants in support of trainees on ESF-Aided Programmes |
39,080 |
|
Grants to students at Thomond College of Education |
97 |
|
Grants to students of Primary Teacher Training Colleges |
22 |
|
Total |
101,210 |
The essential feature of the third level student support schemes is to facilitate access to students into third level who because of low personal/parental income would not normally be able to support their attendance at third level.
Many improvements have been made to the schemes in recent years including the introduction of special provisions for mature students and the increase in income limits by 40 per cent in 1992.
In 1993, the schemes and application forms were reviewed and made more user friendly, income and fee limits were further increased and provision for the renewal of grants for repeat years, in case of certified serious illness were introduced.
The 1994 schemes contained changes which will continue to improve access for students entering full-time third level education.
The main changes are:
Academic Attainment Conditions — The two honour requirement is effectively superceded and a student who secures a place in an approved third level course will be deemed to satisfy the academic attainments conditions.
Second Chance Students — Higher Education Grants Scheme and vocational education committee Scholarships Scheme — Second chance students have been added as a new category of person to whom the scheme applies. Such students who have had a break in studies of five years and return to repeat at the same level in 1994/95 may receive grants aid.
Increased Income Eligibility Criteria/Maintenance Grants/Fee Grants— Income eligibility limits have been increased by 5.4 per cent and maintenance grants by 1.7 per cent. These increases are in line with movements in the average industrial wage and the consumer price index respectively.
Post Graduate Students— Mature students commencing a postgraduate course without already holding a primary degree may now qualify for grant-aid.
Application Form— The layout of the application form has been further simplified to make it more user-friendly.