Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
325 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason she has failed to make details on the socio-economic background of students who were awarded higher education grants for the academic year 2002-2003 despite a parliamentary question available; when the information will be made available and when she sought the information from the relevant grant awarding authorities. [26158/04]
View answerMy Department is currently in the process of collating information on the socio-economic background of students who were awarded higher education grants for the academic year 2002-03 and 2003-04. Statistical forms did not issue until August 2004 to each of the 33 local authorities and information will be collated when all returns are received in the student support unit of my Department.
My Department reviewed the type of information previously collected in respect of the higher education grant scheme and felt it was inadequate. The statistical form was amended to collect more detailed information on grant recipients, which will result in more informed decisions in respect of future amendments to the higher education grant scheme.
The data requirements for the other three student support schemes are also being examined and consultation is taking place with the Irish Vocational Education Association on how best to address the additional statistical requirements on the three schemes which are currently administered by the VECs, namely, the VEC scholarships schemes, the third level maintenance grant scheme for trainees and the maintenance grant scheme for students attending post leaving certificate courses. Data has not historically been collated in respect of the socio-economic background of students awarded grants under these schemes.
It is regrettable that the information in respect of the 2002-03 academic year was unavailable to the Deputy following the previous parliamentary question. The information will be made available to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
