Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

373 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the sum received by students by way of ESF grants in each third level college; the proportion in each college of qualifying students from the PAYE sector, self-employed or other source of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26608/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The vocational education committees award maintenance grants to eligible candidates in accordance with the terms of the European Social Fund – aided third level courses – maintenance grants scheme for trainees. This scheme applies to students attending approved courses in institutes of technology and Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute. To be eligible for a grant under this scheme a student must fulfil conditions as to residence, age, academic attainments, means and nationality.

The institutes pay the appropriate maintenance grants to the eligible students in monthly instalments in arrears over a 36-week span. My Department then recoups this amount to the Institute.

The following amounts were paid to the institutes in respect of the academic year 1998-99:

Institute			Amount
Athlone			IR£1,902,108
Carlow			IR£1,435,984
Cork			IR£1,904,430
Dundalk			IR£1,198,651
Dun Laoghaire			IR£191,568
Galway			IR£2,590,556
Letterkenny			IR£1,444,145
Limerick			IR£1,391,625
Sligo			IR£1,755,828
Tallaght			IR£350,402
Tralee			IR£1,327,367
Trbdi			IR£13,413
Waterford			IR£2,047,158
DIT			IR£1,859,939
Total			IR£19,413,174

The details of the proportion in each institute of qualifying students from the PAYE sector, self-employed or other sources of income are not available in my Department.