Vol. 575 No. 1
135 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has made provision in the 2004 Estimates for a change in the funds available or the terms of eligibility for the various special schemes to assist students fund college attendance who might experience hardship; and the provision being made under the in-college partnership company and other such schemes in 2004. [27955/03]
My Department's funding for third level access measures has increased from €508,000 in 1997 to €26 million in the current year. This underlines my commitment to access for disadvantaged students to further and higher education. Allocations are made in respect of the following measures. There are special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, commonly referred to as top-up grants. As a result of changes implemented following a review in 2002, it was expected that the number of students qualifying for the top-up grant in 2002-03 would double to 7,000 students, but recent figures show that this target was exceeded with approximately 8,000 students receiving the top-up grant in 2002-03.
The millennium partnership fund for disadvantage provides assistance to partnership companies and community groups to develop their support schemes for students from disadvantaged families. The brief of the partnerships is to engage in local development activities to promote social and economic inclusion. The provision for the fund in 2003 is €2 million and 59 area partnerships and community groups are receiving allocations. The student assistance fund provides financial support to disadvantaged students who require additional support to enable them to fully benefit from their third level studies. Provision for this fund increased from €7.49 million in respect of the 2001-02 academic year to €8.94 million in respect of the 2002-03 academic year.
The fund for students with disabilities provides financial support to students with disabilities who require additional support to enable them to fully benefit from their third level studies. The number of students receiving assistance has increased significantly from 809 in the 2001-02 academic year to 1,058 in the 2002-03 academic year. Expenditure also increased significantly from €2.619 million in 2001-02 to €3.737 million in 2002-03. I anticipate that the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education, within the Higher Education Authority, will facilitate the aim of increasing third level access by the three target groups, in partnership with my Department, the third level institutions and other stakeholders and agencies.
The Deputy will also be aware of my announcement on 25 May 2003 of a new package of measures costing €42 million in a full year to further address and ameliorate the problems facing students from low to moderate income households in accessing third level education. This package combines substantial improvements in the level and coverage of the maintenance grant for those on low to moderate incomes, with increases in the level of top-up grant for those who are most disadvantaged. The publication of the Abridged Estimates is only the first stage in the process which provides an overall framework for decision-making in relation to services and programmes in the following year. I will convey the necessary details as decisions are taken.
136 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has made provision in the 2004 Estimates for a change in the terms of eligibility for VTOS allowance or the support available under the scheme; and the terms which will apply in 2004. [27956/03]
The vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, which has a current annual cost of approximately €48 million, is a second chance education and training programme which provides courses of up to two years duration for unemployed people. To be eligible for the scheme, one must be over 21 years of age, unemployed for at least six months and in receipt of specific social welfare payments.
A participant on a VTOS programme receives free tuition and is entitled to a training allowance in lieu of an unemployment payment, equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit. VTOS students with other eligible social welfare entitlements, such as one parent family payment, continue to receive their payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. VTOS students receive books and materials free of charge and may be entitled to a travel allowance if they reside more than three miles from a centre. A training bonus of €31.80 per week is also paid to students who have been in receipt of their social welfare payment for at least 12 months directly before joining VTOS. Child care support is also available.
The publication of the Abridged Estimates is only the first stage in the process which provides an overall framework for decision-making in relation to services and programmes in the following year. I will convey the necessary details as decisions are taken.
