Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 1

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Michael Creed

Question:

210 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the rationale behind the income threshold limits for third level maintenance grants, with reference to the full grant, part grant, adjacent and non-adjacent rates. [10081/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education. In relation to the income thresholds, my approach has been to follow the practice of recent years and increase the reckonable income limits in line with movements in the average industrial wage in the previous year. I approved an increase of 5% in the reckonable income limits for the 2000 to 2001 academic year. This exceeded the increase in the average industrial wage for the period March 1998 to March 1999, which was 4.5%. I also increased by 5% the allowance by which the income limits may be increased in respect of other family members pursuing a course of study. Under the third level student support schemes, operated under the aegis of my Department, means tested maintenance grants are payable at either adjacent or non-adjacent rates. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grantholder's normal residence is 15 miles or less from the college which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases, with the exception of all eligible mature students who, with effect from the 1999-2000 academic year, qualify for the higher non-adjacent rate of grant regardless of distance from college. For 2000-2001 the non-adjacent and adjacent rates of maintenance grant are £1,775 and £710 respectively.

Grantholders who do not meet the prescribed reckonable income limits for the full rate of maintenance may, by reference to specified higher income limits, qualify for a part maintenance grant of 50% of full rate. The reckonable income limits applicable to the 2000-01 academic year are outlined in tabular form below.

Number of DependentChildren	Full Maintenance andfull fees	Part Maintenance(50%) & full fees	Full Fees Only	Part Fees (50%) Only
Less than 4	IR£20,20025,648.71	IR£21,40027,172.39	IR£24,10030,600.69	IR£25,50032,378.32
4 - 7	IR£22,20028,188.19	IR£23,40029,711.87	IR£26,10033,140.16	IR£27, 50034,917.80
8 or more	IR£24,10030,600.69	IR£25,50032,378.32	IR£28,10035,679.64	IR£29,50037,457.27

I announced, last November, the establishment of a special project team to carry out a comprehensive review of every aspect of the maintenance grants, and other student supports, to ensure their relevance to the needs of present day third level students. This review will include the level of grants, the methods by which they are paid, eligibility and income limits, accommodation needs, student support services, the most suitable paying agency, the provision of an appeals system, student loans and taxation measures. Issues relating to the implementation of the team's recommendations will be addressed when its report has been completed.