Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 4

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

25 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to figures produced by the Union of Students in Ireland which shows that third level fees have increased by 172 per cent over the past decade and that the student grant is now worth more than 20 per cent less in real terms than it was in 1983; if she intends to provide a substantial increase in the maintenance grant to address the poverty being experienced by many students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The data available to me indicate that the 1983 level of student maintenance grant when adjusted for movements in the consumer price index (CPI) is within 0.5 per cent of the 1993 grant level. The data also indicate that if one were to compare the grant level in 1980 adjusted for CPI movements the 1993 grant level would represent an increase in real terms of nearly 8 per cent.

In relation to fees the increase between 1983 and 1993 was 116 per cent. However students who qualify for a maintenance grant also qualify to have their fees paid in full. Increases in fees, therefore, do not adversely affect such students.

Overall expenditure on third level student support has increased from some £15 million in 1983 to over £85 million in 1993, an increase of £70 million or 467 per cent. The increase in real terms is 290 per cent. The number of students in receipt of grant aid has increased from around 18,000 in 1983/84 to over 52,000 in 1993/94.

The Government is committed under the Programme for a Partnership Government to continuing improvement of the schemes of third level student support to ensure that no student is deprived of access to third level education because of his or her financial circumstances.

Among the improvements I have already announced in the 1994 student support schemes is an increase in the maintenance grant in line with inflation and in the income limits in line with the increase in the average industrial wage. In addition I have also provided £200,000 in 1994 to establish a hardship fund with the third level institutions. I will review the adequacy of this provision on an annual basis.

The Government is continuing its study of the other significant findings of the Advisory Committee on third level student support.