Vol. 481 No. 4
264 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the demand for social welfare certificates should be waived where the relevant social welfare book is presented in the context of producing documentary evidence regarding third-level education grant qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16342/97]
Entitlement to a grant under the higher education grant scheme for the 1997-98 academic year is based on a candidate's reckonable gross income in the tax year ended 5 April 1997. In the case of certain social welfare payments, a candidate is required to produce a statement from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs indicating the amount which the person received by way of the social welfare payment in the relevant tax year. In this regard, a number of social welfare payments are not accessable as reckonable income, and, therefore, it is not necessary to provide statements for child benefit, family income supplement, one parent family payment, disability allowance, where paid to the candidate, blind pension, where paid to the candidate, orphans' pensions and third level allowance.
I am advised that it would not be appropriate to waive this requirement where the relevant social welfare book is presented as this book may not accurately reflect the person's income in the preceding tax year and could thus adversely affect a student's entitlement under the scheme.
265 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will revoke the recent increase in third-level registration fees; if he will make a decision to change the fee back to £150; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16343/97]
The standardised charge of £150 was levied by the third level colleges as a contribution towards the cost of examinations, registration and student services. The charge was fixed at a maximum of £150 for the 1995-96 and 1996-97 academic years and set for review this year.
The universities have argued that the true cost of these charges would, on average, amount to £400 in the 1997-98 academic year and that, increasingly, the services have required subvention from other areas of their income. The need for improved student services has also been highlighted by both the universities and the technological sector. In the light of these arguments and the fact that the charge had been frozen since 1995, I accepted that the third level institutions could increase this charge to £250. Students who are eligible for maintenance grants under the means tested student support schemes do not have to pay this charge. In this regard, some 60 per cent of certificate and diploma students in the technological sector and 40 per cent of students in the university sector are eligible for maintenance grants.
At my request, the chairman of the Higher Education authority has reconvened the working group which was previously established to review and make recommendations on the implementation of the charge, to prepare a framework of good practice in relation to this charge with particular reference to the principles of transparency and accountability. I expect that this framework will be available by the end of November and in anticipation of the publication of the framework, I have requested all institutions to consult with students' unions on the application of funding for improved student services. I have also increased the level of student representation on this working group.
In the circumstances, I cannot accede to the Deputy's request.
