asked the Minister for Education the plans he has to increase the amount of money paid in grants and scholarships to students at institutions of third-level education.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Third Level Education.
91.
Mr. R. Burke
A statement through the Government Information Service was issued by me in this matter on 19 Feabhra, 1974.
Substantial increases in the rates of the grants and scholarships are being made with effect from 1974-5.
The increases will be two-fold. The fee content of the higher education grants will be increased by whatever amounts the university authorities may increase their range of fees. The maintenance element of the grant will be increased by 20 per cent.
The university scholarship awarded by my Department will also attract the appropriate increases and vocational education committees will be empowered to make corresponding increases in scholarships tenable at regional technical colleges.
It is my intention also to have the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, amended so as to enable these grants to be tenable at regional technical colleges and other third-level institutes for designated courses.
Would the Minister not agree that the increases which he has announced for 1974 are inadequate and if one takes the figure recommended in the Just Society document of Fine Gael in 1966 the amount of the maintenance grant should be in the region of £600?
Mr. R. Burke
I would not agree with the Deputy in that matter.
Would the Minister not accept that scientific study related to the cost-of-living index would indicate that what I have said is true?
That is outside the scope of this question.
I submit, with respect, that it is highly relevant.
Mr. R. Burke
I have already given pretty adequate coverage to my views about the maintenance grants and the 20 per cent increases.
Would the Minister not agree that the only validity his views have are that they are his own? There may be another point of view on this.
The Deputy is developing an argument. Arguments are not in order at Question Time.
Would the Minister tighten up on the giving of these grants where he sees parents are wasting the taxpayers' money?
That has no relevance to the question asked. Question No. 92.
I am concerned about the taxpayers' money being paid on these grants. Would the Minister tighten up in this respect?
Would the Minister not agree that taken in the context of the total expenditure on education the amount spent on such grants is small?
Mr. R. Burke
A 20 per cent increase is generous in these circumstances.