Frances Fitzgerald
Question:293 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself with the present composition of the boards of the universities; and whether she intends to reform the composition. [1969/94]
Written Answers. - Universities' Boards.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:295 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education her views on the recent survey conducted among Dáil Deputies on their views on third level grants and student representation on governing bodies undertaken by the Education Officer of University College Dublin Students' Union and the widespread dissatisfaction across the political spectrum in relation to the level of maintenance grants for students. [1971/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 295 together.
The governing bodies of the NUI Colleges i.e., UCD, UCG and UCC, are appointed in accordance with their respective statutes. These statutes do not provide for any function for the Minister for Education in relation to appointment. However, there is provision, for the Government to nominate four out of 34 members in the case of UCD and three out of 28 in UCC and three out of 26 in UCG.
The governing board of Trinity College is appointed in accordance with its statute and the Minister for Education has no function in these appointments.
St. Patrick's College Maynooth operates under the Act of 1795 and the Minister for Education has no function in relation to appointments to the governing body.
The Governing Bodies of Dublin City University and the University of Limerick are appointed by the Government in accordance with the provisions in the DCU and University of Limerick Acts, 1980 to 1989.
Given that, for historical reasons, the governing bodies or governing boards of the universities are appointed under various Acts and statutes I propose to review the whole situation in the context of the forthcoming White Paper.
With regard to the third-level grants, the Advisory Committee on Third Level Student Support reported to me on 11 November 1993. Arising from my consideration of the committee's report I have already implemented a number of improvements in the student support arrangements such as: the abolition of the separate attainments for eligibility for a grant; this will ensure that all students who have secured a college place will now qualify for a grant subject to their meeting the means test; the introduction of new rules for second chance cases; this is to ensure students who did not complete their initial studies will be eligible to apply for grants for second chance courses after five years; the provision of a discretionary budget in 1994 so as to set up a hardship fund with the third-level institutions, and an increase in the income limits in line with the rise in the average industrial wage and in maintenance grants in line with inflation.
Subject to resource constraints I intend to continue to develop the schemes of student support particularly with a view to rendering them as equitable as possible.