Seán Haughey
Ceist:274 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to improve the provisions for postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16464/97]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Students pursuing post-graduate courses at approved colleges can apply for grants in respect of their fees and maintenance under the higher education grants scheme and the vocational education Committee (VEC) scholarship scheme. In addition, students pursuing courses approved under the ESF-aided Advanced Technical Skills (ATS) programme, which must be at post-graduate level, do not pay tuition fees.
In addition to these student supports which are administered by my Department, the Office of Science and Technology provides scholarships, in the form of an annual grant of £2,000, to doctoral students in science and technology subjects. Other sources of funding available to post-graduate students include demonstratorships funded by the colleges and funding from programmes for advanced technology and applied and strategic research grants.
I am keeping the issue of post-graduate funding under review in the light of available resources.