Jan O'Sullivan
Question:131 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding he proposes to allocate to access two higher education programmes in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24203/02]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
I understand that the Deputy's question is in relation to access to higher education programmes generally. I will set out, for the Deputy's information, the schemes and measures available to assist students in higher education, which come under the heading of student support services funded by my Department.
The three third level maintenance grants schemes are as follows: the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme; and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees. Under the maintenance grants schemes, funding is awarded to eligible students towards the cost of maintenance, tuition fees and the charge for student services, registration and examinations.
There are three Irish scholarship schemes as follows: scheme of third level scholarships for students from the Gaeltacht; scheme of third level scholarships, through Irish: restricted; and scheme of Irish third level scholarships, unrestricted. Scholarships are awarded to successful candidates in respect of fees and maintenance for approved third level courses.
Another scheme is the Easter week commemoration scholarship scheme. Winners of these scholarships are funded in respect of fees and maintenance for approved third level courses.
In addition to the above schemes, there is a range of measures funded by my Department aimed at promoting access to further and higher education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities and mature "second chance" students.
The special rates of maintenance grant, usually referred to as ‘top-up' grants, payable to disadvantaged grant holders, were introduced with effect from the 2000/01 academic year.
A new millennium partnership fund for disadvantage was introduced in 2001. The fund provides assistance to partnership companies and community groups to develop their support schemes for students from disadvantaged families.
The student assistance-access fund makes available financial support to students, in approved third level institutions. The objective of the fund is to assist students who might, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund is administered on a discretionary basis by each third level institution and provides direct financial support to disadvantaged students to assist them to remain on in college.
The fund for students with disabilities provides grants towards the provision of services and the purchase of equipment for students with disabilities attending courses in third level institutions or post leaving certificate courses. The scheme applies to students who have serious sensory, physical and-or communicative disabilities, including dyslexia.
As reflected in the recently published Abridged Book of Estimates for 2003, approximately €127 million has been allocated in respect of the third level maintenance grants schemes and scholarships schemes. A further €26 million has been allocated in respect of my Department's access measures targeting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities and mature "second chance" students.
My Department is at present conducting a review of student support provisions aimed at ensuring that the benefits of the substantial investment being made are maximised. This review will cover a range of topics relating to the schemes of student support including the level of maintenance grants, eligibility and income limits with respect to the grants, and the free fees initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees at undergraduate level in approved institutions. Decisions regarding increases in income thresholds and maintenance grant levels will not be taken, pending completion of this review and, accordingly, provision to take account of such increases is not reflected in the Abridged Book of Estimates for 2003.