Vol. 413 No. 9
74 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the changes on which decisions have been made to date to improve the third-level grants scheme under the following specific items referred to in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress: (1) income eligibility limits, (2) mature students income criteria, (3) mature students eligibility and (4) a more equitable income assessment.
239 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the progress which has been made in bringing equality into the awarding of third level grants to children of parents in the PAYE sector.
250 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if, under the new proposals in the Programme for Government, mature students who are living away from home will automatically qualify for the higher rate of maintenance payment under ESF or higher education grants; and if he will give an indication of the age at which a student is regarded as a mature student.
286 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Education if he intends making changes to the condition whereby profit from the compulsory sale of shares of co-operatives societies, which is then used to reduce bank overdrafts, is regarded as reckonable income for the purpose of higher educational grant schemes at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 239, 250 and 286 together.
Amendments to the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, and to the higher education grants scheme relating to the areas specified in the recently published joint programme for Government and which include the various issues raised by the Deputies are currently being finalised by my Department.
I hope to have the appropriate amendments incorporated in the higher education grants scheme for 1992.
A decision as to the age at which a student would be regarded as a mature student will be taken in the context of the proposed amendments.
