Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:205 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if it is her intention to increase the number of places available to mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Mature Students.
Grants are currently available to mature students who meet the academic requirements and satisfy the income assessment criteria.
TheProgramme for Economic and Social Progress contains a commitment, in the context of the provision of additional places at third level, to improve participation by mature students in third level education through improvements in the higher education grants scheme, specifically in relation to their meeting the academic requirements for a grant and the method of assessing their income eligibility. In addition the programme proposes an allocation of third level places for mature students from disadvantaged areas as an extension of existing provision for mature students.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:206 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education (1) the number of full-time mature students registered in the State universities and (2) the courses they are pursuing and (3) the number in each course; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
There are some 4,000 full-time mature students in the universities. Data showing the number on each course is not available in my Department.