asked the Minister for Education the number of students, otherwise qualified for higher education grants in 1974-75, who were refused such grants due to late application; and if he will use the media, including radio and television, to in-form students of the closing date in 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
58.
Mr. R. Burke
Statistical information is not available in my Department concerning students who were declared ineligible for the award of higher education grants in the academic year 1974-75 on the grounds that their applications were not submitted to the local authorities before the 31st August, 1974, the official closing date for the receipt of applications.
With regard to the use of the media to publish the closing date, under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, I should point out that the responsibility for the publishing of the schemes lies with the local authorities. For 1975 and subsequent years I propose to advise local authorities to make provision to the effect that in exceptional cases late applications may be accepted.
Will the Minister state how many cases have been brought to his notice or to the notice of his Department? Secondly, has he extended the date, or suggested an extension after 31st August?
Mr. R. Burke
From inquiries made from local authorities who administer the schemes it appears that in addition to those who submitted applications people were told the applications were too late when they inquired at the offices and on the phone. Consequently, it is not possible to say how many late applications there were in 1974. I will propose to local authorities to make provision for late applications that may be accepted.
Will the Minister state up to what date?
Mr. R. Burke
At this stage I should prefer not to say anything further.
59.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state for the year 1975 (a) the general grant-in-aid, current expenditure, being provided through the Higher Education Authority for (i) University College, Cork, (ii) University College, Dublin, (iii) University College, Galway, and (iv) Trinity College, Dublin, per equivalent full-time student enrolled in each of these institutions for the session 1974-75 (b) the grant-in-aid, current expenditure, for the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, and (c) the grant for general purposes in respect of students in the training colleges for primary teachers, as a whole, per full-time student enrolled for the session 1974-75.
Mr. R. Burke
The information sought by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
GRANTS payable per full-time equivalent student: 1975
|
General (non-capital) grant |
Actual full-time student numbers |
Actual part-time student numbers |
Full-time equivalent student numbers |
Average grant per full-time equivalent student |
|
|
£ |
£ |
||||
|
U.C.C. |
2,462,650 |
4,093 |
504 |
4,690 |
525 |
|
U.C.D. |
5,402,300 |
8,455 |
1,260 |
10,218 |
529 |
|
U.C.G. |
2,312,900 |
3,196 |
188 |
3,457 |
669 |
|
T.C.D. |
4,092,400 |
4,164 |
546 |
5,380 |
761 |
|
Training colleges for national teachers |
2,246,400 |
1,733 |
— |
— |
*1,296 |
The grant-in-aid—Current expenditure for the National Institute of Higher Education. Limerick for 1975 is £952,500.
*Presidential courses—maintenance costs included.