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Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004

Wednesday, 30 June 2004

Questions (133)

Paul McGrath

Question:

196 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in introducing the 2004-2005 higher education grant scheme; its expected date of publication; and his views on whether it is beneficial to finalise it prior to the summer recess. [19638/04]

View answer

Written answers

The grant scheme is administered by the local authorities under the aegis of my Department. Its terms and conditions are reviewed annually by my Department. They are revised as necessary and distributed to the awarding bodies as early as possible before the commencement of the new academic year.

On 25 June my Department issued details of the 2004 HEG scheme to the various local authorities. The student maintenance grant schemes are administered by the VECs under the aegis of my Department. They were issued at the same time. Last May, application forms were issued to the awarding bodies.

The distribution of this year's schemes of student support has been earlier than last year. They were issued to the awarding bodies in early July. My Department is taking the necessary steps to ensure that in future years the revised schemes are issued before the end of April.

The following is a copy of my press release on Sunday, 27 June, for the Deputy's information. I announced full details of the increases in the reckonable income limits and various rates of maintenance grants under the terms of the 2004 schemes.

The Minister for Education and Science, Noel Dempsey, T.D, today reaffirmed his commitment to the promotion of equitable access to higher education, on the issuing of the 2004 student support schemes to the awarding bodies, the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. Minister Dempsey stated that in line with the principles which underpinned the €42m package of student support measures provided for the 2003/4 academic year, this year's schemes are giving particular priority to addressing inequities in participation of students from the lower socio-economic groups through the Special Rates of Maintenance (Top -Up) Grant. There will be a significant increase of 18.6% in the "Top-Up" element for the 2004/5 academic year. The higher, non-adjacent rate has been increased to €4,855 an amount based on the maximum personal rate of Social Welfare Unemployment Assistance. The adjacent rate has been increased to €1,945. These rates represent ‘top-ups' on the ordinary grant of €1,910 and €765, respectively. The annual income threshold for the special rates of maintenance grant has been increased by 6.8% to €14,693, ensuring that at least 10,000 students will benefit. Minister Dempsey said that an increase of 2.0%, in line with inflation, is being provided for in the ordinary maintenance grant to give a maximum grant of €2,945 in the 2004/05 academic year. The reckonable income limits for these grants have been increased for the 2004/05 academic year in line with the increase in the average industrial wage, as has 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 top income limit has been increased from €40,000 to €42,360, ensuring that a significantly higher number of students from households with moderate incomes will not have to pay the Student Service Charge of €750. It is anticipated that up to 56,000 students will benefit as a result of the full range of increases announced. Minister Dempsey said: — "I have continually highlighted, as a key Government priority, the need to promote and facilitate equitable access to education including, in particular, higher education. Support has to be targeted at those who are most in need and at an appropriate level. The improvements which are being effected in this year's schemes are giving effect to this objective and are central to its achievement." The Minister said that he is also taking steps, including consultations with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, to ensure that students will be aware of the financial assistance available. The Minister thanked the CAO for agreeing to issue an information leaflet to all CAO applicants in the coming weeks.

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