Vol. 403 No. 4
23 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an increasing number of students attending third level education are suffering great hardship as a result of the lack of financial resources; if she will define a mature student; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
33 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an increasing number of students attending third level education are suffering great hardship as a result of the lack of financial resources; if she will define a mature student; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
35 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an increasing number of students attending third level education are suffering great hardship as a result of the lack of financial resources; if she will define a mature student; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
53 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an increasing number of students attending third level education are suffering great hardship as a result of the lack of financial resources; if she will define a mature student; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
67 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an increasing number of students attending third level education are suffering great hardship as a result of the lack of financial resources; if she will define a mature student; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 33, 35, 53 and 67 together.
My Department review the higher education grants scheme on an annual basis in the light of their experience of its operation and/or representations from individuals or public representatives. I am aware of the difficulties facing some parents with children in third level education and this is a matter which is reviewed from year to year.
The means test tables for the scheme are so framed as to give greater financial assistance to students from low income families. I also wish to point out that despite the past few years of severe financial constraints, I have increased the income eligibility limits and rates of maintenance grant payable in line with the increase in the CPI. I have also increased the fee grant in line with increases in tuition fee charges. Moreover, I would also point out that the percentage of students receiving grant assistance in the 1989-90 academic year was over 50 per cent compared with under 47 per cent in 1986-87. Therefore, there have been substantial improvements.
In addition to these improvements I can assure the Deputies that it has been my objective to ensure that the higher education grants scheme is as equitable as possible.
There is no uniform definition of what constitutes a mature student; various interpretations are given by the third level colleges.
May I——
A Cheann Comhairle——
I call Deputy Cotter whose Question No. 67 refers and who is present in the House.
Notwithstanding what the Minister said regarding improvements in the scheme, is she aware that an increasing number of students are deciding to attend regional colleges rather than university as was formerly the case? Obviously these students are deciding to attend regional colleges because the European Social Fund grant is not subject to a means test. I understand that this practice is widespread. The Minister should keep an eye on third-level education in general with a view to provisional planning for the future——
Brevity please, Deputy.
Would the Minister not agree that in any review of grant schemes she should take into account the position of those people who have mortgages? It is an accepted practice in Irish life that people buy their own houses. Would the Minister not agree that people who are——
I want to help the Deputy elicit information but he must be brief and succinct.
I want to ask one further question. Would the Minister not agree that families who have more than one child attending a third level institution are seriously disadvantaged and that any comparison between such families and people on social welfare who also have children——
I think the Deputy has made his point adequately.
With regard to the Deputy's first question about young people who are now deciding to attend regional and VEC colleges, I dare say the European Social Fund grant scheme is a contributory factor but another major factor is the very fine, relevant, third level courses being conducted there. These colleges are linked more and more with great potential for employment and this is why young people are opting to attend them.
With regard to whether mortgage repayments should be taken into account in assessing the reckonable income of a family, if one were to go down that path one would be going into a labyrinth of trouble. In addition, it would be very expensive and we might not be able to give grants to as many young people as we do at present.
With regard to the Deputy's final point about families who have two or more children attending third level education, as I said that issue is constantly looked at and the scheme is reviewed annually. I would point out to Deputy Cotter and the other Deputies who put down questions — this is not connected with the questions but it is as well to put it on record — that this year we were able to remove a long standing anomaly and reduce from four to two honours the eligibility requirement for the grant. This has made an enormous difference and I will give the Deputy the numbers if he puts down a question.
That disposes of questions for today.
