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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

374 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the reporting of the special project team reviewing the operation of maintenance grants and other student supports; if the research on the effect of changes in income limits has been finalised; when the committee is expected to reach its conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20846/01]

Late last year, I announced that I was setting up a special project team to undertake 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, which is at present in progress, is a wide-ranging review covering many topics. These 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.

Some of these topics are, of their nature, complex and require detailed research. As part of the review, the Economic and Social Research Institute was commissioned to undertake research on the effect of changes in the income thresholds and on related matters. The ESRI submitted its report on the research last month. The report's findings will inform the project team's work on the review, which I expect will be completed in the near future.

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