asked the Minister for Education if he will raise the income limit for parents who seek higher education grants and other scholarships for their children.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Education Grants and Scholarships.
1.
asked the Minister for Education if it is his intention to increase the scale of income limits for higher education grants in respect of this year's applicants.
3.
asked the Minister for Education if he will permit local authorities greater flexibility in determining eligibility for higher education grants with particular reference to income tax paid.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
The questions of the appropriate scale of income limits for eligibility for the purpose of the award of higher education grants is the subject of periodic review. No decision has been made for a change in the level at present in operation.
I do not consider that greater flexibility in the application of the means test by local authorities is necessary or desirable. It is important that there should be a uniform basis of application of the test by all authorities.
Does the Minister consider that a factory operative with two children who is earning in the region of £2,300 should be entitled to qualify for the higher education grant or does he consider that man should be able to pay for higher education from his own resources?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy is facing me with an impossible choice. If I were to assent to the first proposition then in effect I would be setting the limits I think justifiable. The Deputy knows I cannot do that.
It may help the Minister if I give him the relevant figures.
That would not be in order.
It arises from the question.
The Deputy may ask a question. He is attempting to give information rather than to seek it.
Is the Minister aware that the income limit for a married man with two children to qualify for this grant is £2,410? When the scheme was introduced the limit for such a person was £1,800. Does the Minister think it reasonable at this time to suggest that any man with two children earning £2,400 should be expected to provide higher education finance for his children? The example I have given is but one case. It is the same right through the scale.
Mr. R. Burke
I have given my opinion that it would be invidious for a Minister to answer that question because he would then be setting a target to which he could be pinned at a later stage. I cannot accede to the Deputy's request.
If the Minister wishes I can give him examples of other cases. I merely picked that instance as one example. Is it not clear that the intention of the scheme was that it would apply to the people I have mentioned? When the scheme was introduced they qualified at £1,800 and that money was worth more than £2,400 is worth now. Does the Minister not know there are many factory operatives and labourers throughout the country who are earning that rate but whose children will not qualify for higher education grants? Is he satisfied with this situation?
Mr. R. Burke
I understand the position but I cannot answer as to whether I find it acceptable.
Even if it was the intention when the scheme was introduced that it should apply to the vast majority, having regard to the one example I have given does the Minister not agree that it applies only to the minority, that those who were intended to benefit will not do so? Is the Minister concerned about this?
Mr. R. Burke
I am concerned about all these questions but I have given the Deputy my answer.
The Minister should translate his concern into action.
The Minister stated that the limits for eligibility of grants are the subject of review. Will he take into consideration the index figure for March, 1972, and adjust the income ceiling in accordance with the rate of inflation?
Mr. R. Burke
I will take into account what the Deputy has said but I cannot give any indication of what I will do.
4.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make arrangements whereby late applicants for higher education grants will pay a small fine rather than forfeit one year's grant.
Mr. R. Burke
The terms of the higher education grants scheme in relation to the procedure for the submission of applications are reviewed annually. A decision in relation to the procedure to be applied in 1975 will be made in due course.
Will the Minister not agree there was a considerable easing in the regulations in relation to higher education grants in the past? Originally a grant was forfeited entirely if the applicant was late but that regulation was changed. In the light of the experience gained in operating this system, would the Minister not consider it worthwhile to try to find some system whereby a student would not lose the entire grant because of a late application?
Mr. R. Burke
I accept that the Deputy has correctly explained the position that obtained heretofore and that a number of changes have been made. In view of the fact that representations have been received in the Department I am having a further look at the matter to see what modifications, if any, can be made. In regard to those who suggested the introduction of a fine system for late applicants, I would point out that the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, does not give me any statutory right to exact such fines. However, that is only one item in the matter.
In view of the fact that the question of late applications arises each year, would the Minister consider sending a circular to all schools to set aside a special date when the applications would be completed? I know the Department have reminded people but apparently principals overlook the matter and the pupils suffer as a result.
Mr. R. Burke
Certainly I will consider what the Deputy has suggested. Anything that remedies this matter would be helpful to me.
5.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that a company (details supplied) has provided scholarships to enable students to attend full-time courses in mining in a regional college; and if he will arrange to provide scholarships for those who eventually qualify to enable them to continue their education in mining outside the country.
Mr. R. Burke
I am aware that some students following a diploma course in mineral science in a regional technical college are in receipt of scholarships from vocational education committees and others from private companies.
A proposal for the establishment, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education, of a scholarship in mining tenable outside the country could be considered by a vocational education committee under section 39 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, if the circumstances so required.
6.
asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange for the payment of a scholarship to a regional college for an applicant in County Kildare (name supplied) who is a second-year student but who was a late applicant last year.
Mr. R. Burke
Scholarships to students who wish to pursue courses of study in regional technical colleges are awarded on a competitive basis to students who have completed the course up to leaving certificate. The scholarships are tenable in the second year of the course in the regional technical college only by those students who were awarded them in the first year.