Vol. 568 No. 1
308 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if the details of the higher education grants scheme to be conveyed to South Dublin County Council in summer 2003 will show improved conditions and deal with difficulties with the scheme already identified to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15185/03]
316 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on USI demands that he convey to the Minister for Health and Children the need to reintroduce free medical care for all third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/03]
318 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on USI demands that the Government increase the income thresholds in order to allow more people to qualify for the third level maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/03]
319 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on USI demands that the Government immediately raise the third level maintenance grant significantly in order to cover the basic living costs of students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15196/03]
324 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the high cost of rented accommodation incurred by provincial students attending Irish universities; and if he plans to revise the students grant scheme to give greater support to students studying away from home and to extend the income thresholds for qualification. [15318/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 316, 318, 319 and 324 together.
I refer the Deputies to my announcement of 25 May 2003 regarding a package of measures costing €42 million in a full year to address the problem of disadvantage in third level education.
The package comprises: an increase in the maintenance grant levels by 15%, a significant increase in the income thresholds for purposes of determining grant eligibility and an expansion in the number of thresholds, benefiting a greater number of students, an increase in the top income threshold from €36,897 to €40,000, ensuring that a significantly higher number of students from households with moderate incomes will not have to pay the €670 student service charge, and an increase in the amount of the higher rate of the top-up grant to the level of the maximum personal rate of unemployment assistance. Approximately 7,500 grantholders will benefit under this measure.
This package of measures will be the catalyst that enables students from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their full potential in the education system, and in their subsequent careers. The annual review of the terms and conditions of the 2003 maintenance grant schemes is being finalised within my Department at present. The schemes will issue to the awarding bodies following completion of the review.
