asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the drop in the number of students aged 20 or over entering third level education between 1980 and 1986; whether, in view of this she will make changes to the higher education grants scheme and vocational education committee scholarship scheme in order that income may be calculated on the means test limits of the year a student goes to the college, rather than the year he/she sat the leaving certificate, a change that would allow more people aged 20 or over to go to college.
Written Answers. - Education Grants.
45.
I am aware that there has been a slight decrease in the number of new entrants aged 20 or over to third level education between 1980 and 1986. The higher education grants and VEC scholarship schemes are subject to annual review and I will bear the Deputy's views in mind in the context of this review.
I cannot, however, indicate at this stage what changes, if any, will emerge from this review. The Deputy will appreciate that a range of factors must be considered in coming to decisions about changes in these schemes.