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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Seán Haughey

Question:

268 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if the means test for post-leaving certificate students to qualify for the higher education grant will be relaxed; if he will ensure that applications are processed and paid without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13541/99]

I introduced a maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses in the academic year 1998-99. These grants are means tested and the rates of grant, income limits, and other criteria for eligibility are similar to those which apply to the third level student support schemes.

It has been the practice in recent years, when reviewing the third level student support schemes, to increase the reckonable income limits in line with movements in the average industrial wage. Similarly, maintenance grants have been increased in recent years in line with changes in the Consumer Price Index. This increase was also applied to the allowance by which the income limits may be increased in respect of other family members pursuing certain courses of study. The question of increasing income limits and maintenance grants for the 1999-2000 academic year is being considered in the context of the annual review of the schemes. I expect to be in a position to announce details of the student support schemes for 1999-2000 shortly.

I am committed to ongoing improvements in the student support schemes, including increasing the value of maintenance grants and increasing the income limits as resources permit. The Deputy will appreciate that such improvements must have regard to overall resource constraints and competing demands in the education sector.

The arrangements for the payment of grants under the maintenance grant scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses are a matter for the vocational education committees, which are entrusted with the administration of the scheme. I am confident that the VEC's will make every effort to process applications and make payments to students without undue delay.

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