Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Brian O'Shea
Question:
884
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford, attending Waterford Institute of Technology, and who had a grossly inadequate income can be given financial assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24272/00]
The Department of Education and Science funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students, which are administered by the local authorities and vocational education committees.
County Waterford Vocational Education Committee has confirmed to my Department that the student in question has been awarded the full adjacent rate of grant, currently £710, under the third level maintenance grant scheme for trainees.
Apart from the maintenance grants scheme and the free fees initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students in approved institutions, financial support is also available to students through the student assistance/access fund. The objectives of the fund are to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund is administered by the third level institutions and provides direct financial support to disadvantaged students to assist them to remain on in college to complete their studies. I have recently increased the provision for this fund from £1.296 million in 1999 to £1.8 million in 2000.
In this regard, if he has not already done so, the student to whom the Deputy refers may wish to contact the student welfare officer in the college attended for further information on the fund.
The need to target resources at those most in need is well recognised and underpins this Government's approach to tackling disadvantage. In this regard there is provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling £95 million over the period of the plan. This fund will provide for additional financial support for disadvantaged students on top of the existing maintenance grants schemes. The objective of this measure is to facilitate and improve access to the labour market for the beneficiaries while improving their long-term employability through enhancing their educational qualifications.
I recently announced the setting up of an action group on access to third level education, with the aim of tackling under-representation of disadvantaged students in third level education. This action group will advise me on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote participation at third level by students in three disadvantaged groups – students with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and mature second chance students. I have asked the action group to provide a report to me within three months.
As an indication of the Government's support in promoting equity in access, and as an initial step pending the findings of the action group, I announced on 14 September 2000 the introduction of a special maintenance grant, payable to disadvantaged grant holders early in 2001, targeted at those most in need. The full rate of maintenance grant will increase from £1,775 to £2,000 for students residing more than 15 miles from college and from £710 to £1,000 for students resident within 15 miles of college. Tentative indications are that in the region of 10,000 students may benefit from this measure.
