Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 5

Written Answers - Higher Education Grants.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

382 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 24 November 1998, he will give the comparative data for 1998 and 1999 on the basis of projected student participation and projected spending; and if he will provide the spending figures according to outruns and estimates as published and on the basis of no change having been made in the timing of payment to local authorities. [25809/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

While the outturn for 1998 is not avail able, the Estimate for 1998 in respect of the higher education grants scheme is £36 million. With the exception of £890,000 representing an accrued expense from 1997, the 1998 Estimate represents the expected recoupment to local authorities in respect of expenditure to be incurred by them on higher education grants in 1998.

In this regard, I would point out to the Deputy that a payment of £11.2 million was made in December 1997 to enable the local authorities to issue the second instalment of grants due for the 1997-98 academic year, before the end of 1997.

The Estimate in respect of the higher education grants scheme for 1999 as set out in the Abridged Estimates volume is £43.5 million. As the Deputy is aware, the Estimates provisions are only the first stage in the process of determining specific allocations, improvements and initiatives across all sectors of education. This process will extend over the next number of months and I will convey the necessary details as decisions are taken.

If no change had been made in the timing of payments to local authorities and recoupment was still made a year in arrears, the 1998 payments to local authorities would have been for the amounts expended by them in 1997, i.e. £64 million. When one attempts to compare year on year expenditure on the higher education grants scheme it is necessary to have regard to the range of factors at play, namely: the payment of the second instalment of grant for the 1997-8 academic year in late 1997; the transfer of fee payments in respect of new entrants previously made by the local authorities to direct payment by my Department under the free fees initiative; the increase in student numbers; and the increase in the level of grant awards.

A tentative estimate of the number of students benefiting under the scheme in 1998-9 and 1999-2000 is 29,000 and 30,000, respectively.