Vol. 497 No. 2
375 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of expenditure in third level grants in each of the years from 1996 to 1999 if a decision had not been made in 1997 to change the method of recoupment to the local authorities; and the number of grant holders benefitting in each year. [24356/98]
The number of grantholders under the higher education grants scheme for the academic years 1995-6, 1996-7 and 1997-8 were 25,715, 26,440 and 26,350 respectively. The 1997-8 figure is estimated as confirmation of the figures is still awaited in certain instances. The number of grant holders for the 1998-9 academic year is not yet available.
The expenditure in 1996 and 1997 of £51,438,452.78 and £65,939,712.93 respectively, represents the recoupment to local authorities in respect of expenditure incurred by them on the higher education grants scheme in the previous financial year.
