Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Seán Haughey

Question:

327 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the family income threshold for eligibility for higher education grants for third level students of institutes of technology in order to make it easier for more students to qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19473/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The assessment of means under the third level student support schemes is based on gross income with certain deductions for specified social welfare and health board payments.

It has been the practice in recent years to increase the reckonable income limits in line with movements in the average industrial wage. The figures are provided by the Central Statistics Office and are computed in each case to March of the previous year. The average industrial wage increase for the period March 1997 to March 1998 was 4.6 per cent. The reckonable income limits for the 1999-2000 academic year were therefore increased by 4.6 per cent.

The increase in the reckonable income limits was also applied to the allowance by which the income limits may be increased in respect of other family members pursuing a course of study. In such cases, for the 1999-2000 academic year, the reckonable income limits may be increased by £2,160 where there are two such children, £4,320 where there are three, and so on by increments of £2,160.

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.