Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
18 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals for reform of the third level grants scheme; her views on recent figures which show huge disparity between the number of grants awarded to persons from higher socio-economic groups and those from lower socio-economic groups; when the student support Bill is likely to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30518/04]
View answerI have already indicated that, in accordance with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, I propose to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students in higher education.
It is my intention also to put in place at the earliest possible time a more coherent administration system to facilitate the introduction of a more sophisticated means-testing arrangement and ensure consistency of application and client accessibility. This is necessary if we are to ensure public confidence in the awards system and also ensure the timely delivery of grants to those who need them most. It is for this reason that I have asked my Department to expedite its consultations with other relevant Departments and stakeholders.
I share the Deputy's concern about the perceived unfairness of the existing schemes but the Deputy will no doubt be aware that this was an issue addressed by the de Buitleir report in the mid-1990s but not acted upon by the then Minister and Government. The Deputy will also be aware that the issues involved are complex ones, not unique to this country.
Whatever new administration and assessment arrangements will be eventually decided upon will be provided for in new statutory arrangements through a new student support Bill. This Bill will have as its objective the promotion of equality of access. I envisage that the Bill will also provide for an independent appeals system. I cannot indicate yet when this Bill will be published.
A key vehicle for the achievement of our objective of promoting and facilitating increased participation from hitherto under-represented socio-economic groups will be the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education, which we established last year in the Higher Education Authority. The national office, at my request, is finalising a national action plan with this priority objective. This plan, which has been developed in consultation with the stakeholders, will set out a road map for future action. It will seek to establish specific quantitative and qualitative targets linked to allocation of financial resources.
In this connection, the national office has been asked to give particular attention to the setting of national and institutional targets for participation in higher education by the socio-economically disadvantaged, those from the Traveller community, students with disabilities and mature students. I can assure the Deputy that this Government accords the highest priority to addressing the obstacles to participation by these target groups at all stages of the education cycle — a fact testified to in the Estimates volume for 2005.
