Vol. 568 No. 2
152 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects the decision on funding allocation for the millennium fund for disadvantage third level support scheme for the 2003-04 academic year to be made in view of the fact that the 2002-03 academic year is almost at an end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16084/03]
There is a provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling almost €121 million over the period 2000 to 2006, to tackle disadvantage at third level. The millennium partnership fund for disadvantage is one of the initiatives in place to promote equity in access.
The fund provides assistance to partnership companies and community groups to develop their support schemes for students from disadvantaged families. The total allocation for the 2001-02 academic year was €1.2 million. I increased the provision for the 2002-03 academic year to €2 million.
The report of the action group on access to third level education sets out a co-ordinated framework of actions required to improve equity of access to third level. The group considered that a single co-ordinating body was essential in order to realise the framework. Accordingly, a key recommendation of the group was that a national office for equity of access to higher education be established to ensure the effective implementation of many of the recommendations in the report.
I have given approval for the establishment of the national office within the Higher Education Authority. My Department is engaged in discussions with the Higher Education Authority with a view to bringing the national office into operation in time for the 2003-04 academic year. I anticipate that the national office will facilitate the aim of increasing third level access by the target groups, in partnership with my Department, the third level institutions and other stakeholders and agencies.
The action group report recommended that the national office should have responsibility for allocating funding for initiatives to promote equity in access. These initiatives include measures such as the millennium partnership fund for disadvantage, the fund for students with disabilities and the student assistance fund.
The 2003 provision for third level access measures funded by my Department is €26 million, an increase of €2 million on the outturn for 2002, almost €24 million. Decisions, in respect of the 2003/04 academic year, regarding the 2003 allocation for each access measure, including the millennium partnership fund, will be taken in due course.
153 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects the decision on funding allocation for the foundation course for higher education - young adults in Trinity College for the 2003-04 academic year to be made in view of the fact that the 2002-03 academic year is almost at an end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16085/03]
I have arranged to have the information requested by the Deputy forwarded directly to him.
