Paul McGrath
Question:183 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the expected income threshold for persons to qualify for higher education grants for the academic year 2004-05. [30386/03]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The practice in recent years, in relation to the reckonable income limits under the maintenance grant schemes, has been to increase the limits at least in line with movements in the average industrial wage in the previous year.
The Deputy, however, will 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 2003-04 for those on low to moderate incomes, with increases in the level of "top-up" grant for those who are most disadvantaged.
The package includes significant increases in the reckonable income limits and in the allowance by which the income limits may be increased for each dependant where two or more children are in further or higher education. The increases range from 9.5% to 16.3%, well above the reference increase in the average industrial wage.
A decision on the reckonable income limits to apply in respect of the grant schemes for 2004-05 will not be taken until 2004.