Richard Bruton
Question:144 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the methods used within his Department to calculate the cost of changes in the income thresholds of higher education grants. [16025/97]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Annual increases in the income thresholds under the higher education grants scheme are generally in line with movements in the average industrial wage. Accordingly, it is assumed that the effect of any such increase is cost neutral. For the purposes of quantifying the impact of increases in excess of the average industrial wage, it would be necessary to draw upon data from the Central Statistics Office such as the household budget survey and income profile data from the Revenue Commissioners.
Richard Bruton
Question:145 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers of undergraduate students and of post-graduate students in receipt of third level grant support, distinguishing the numbers on fees and maintenance at adjacent and non-adjacent rates respectively, fees and half maintenance at adjacent and non-adjacent rates respectively, fees only and half fees only for the most recent year available and his forecast for 1998; and the total grant aid by his Department for each category. [16026/97]
The detailed information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
In relation to the 1998 estimate of expenditure on student support, my Department is currently engaged in discussions in relation to finalising the 1998 expenditure provisions for my Department. These provisions will be set out in the 1998 abridged Estimates which it is proposed to publish in the context of the 1998 budget.