Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 4

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Liam Aylward

Question:

111 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education the cost of administering the means test for higher education grants at local authority, vocational education committee and Department level; the breakdown of these costs; and if a more effective and economical system can be put in place to allow the consequential savings to be used towards improving maintenance grants. [2221/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Local authorities administer the means test in respect of grants under the higher education grants scheme and vocational education committees administer it for grants under the vocational education committee scholarship scheme and the ESF maintenance grant scheme. My Department is not directly involved in the administration of the means test.

Data are not readily available in my Department about the costs incurred by local authorities and vocational education committees in administering the means test.

On the basis of recommendations in the advisory committee's report I have already announced my intention to transfer the functions at present exercised by local authorities and vocational education committees to a central agency and to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to means assessment.