Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

487 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that an increase of 77 pence in third level grants and an increase in the income threshold by only 3.2 per cent is adequate to meet the increasing financial burden facing third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16297/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The 1998 third level student support schemes have recently been issued to local authorities and vocational education committees. It has been the practice in recent years to increase maintenance grants in line with inflation as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index for the period mid-February to mid-February each year. The inflation figure as provided by the Central Statistics Office for the period mid-February 1997 to mid-February 1998 was 1.7 per cent. The value of the maintenance grant was therefore increased by 1.7 per cent.

It has also been the practice in recent years to increase the reckonable income limits in line with movements in the average industrial wage. The figures are provided by the Central Statistics Office and are computed in each case to March of the previous year. The average industrial wage increase for the period March 1996 to March 1997 was 3.2 per cent. The reckonable income limits for the 1998-9 academic year were therefore increased by 3.2 per cent. This increase was also applied to the allowance by which the income limits may be increased in respect of other family members pursuing a course of study. The definition of eligible courses in this regard has also been extended.

I am committed to ongoing improvements in the third level student support schemes, including increasing the value of maintenance grants and increasing the income limits as resources permit. The Deputy will appreciate that such improvements must have regard to overall resource constraints and competing needs generally in the education sector. As I have said before I have identified the creation of additional third level places as my priority at third level. I have also given a commitment to introduce maintenance grants for post leaving certificate students. Details of this new scheme will be available shortly.