Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

365 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a system of grant withdrawal for non-attendance in ESF grant courses; the reason that this system is applied in these courses and not in degree courses; if he has satisfied himself that the system is fairly applied; and if he monitors its operation. [26475/98]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

372 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason recipients of European Social Fund maintenance grants, which are mainly paid to students in institutes of technology, are subject, under the terms of their grant, to normal industrial discipline; the reason this does not apply to the third level maintenance grants paid at universities; the meaning of normal industrial discipline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26531/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 365 and 372 together.

The objective of the middle level technician and higher technical-business skills programme is to enhance industrial competitiveness and growth by providing initial third level education and training to meet the technical and higher level manpower needs of the economy and the regulations emphasise the extent to which training conditions mirror the reality of the work environment, thereby preparing trainees for the workplace.

The regulations governing the middle level technician and higher technical/business skills programme state that: "Trainees on the programmes will be subject to normal industrial disciplines during training regarding time keeping, absenteeism etc., and the institute authorities will be required to reflect these factors in the payment of allowances. Trainees may be allowed sick leave without reduction in the level of grant for a maximum of 15 days per academic year. All such absences must be notified to the institute authorities in writing".

Normal industrial discipline refers to the normal conditions which exist in the workplace, for example, notifying absences due to illness in writing to the college authorities.

The higher education grants scheme and the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme allow for the payments of grants in three equal instalments. These grants are paid on the basis of the student continuing to be a registered student at college rather than a roll call taken on a daily basis which is the system which operates on ESF aided courses in the institutes of technology.

The method of payment of grants under the various student support schemes is one of the issues which will be addressed in the context of the review of the administration of the third level student support schemes which is being undertaken by officials of my Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

366 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if local bodies paying grants to students have paid the first instalment by the end of October; and, if not, if he will list those who have failed to reach this target. [26476/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The arrangements for the payment of grants under the higher education grants scheme are a matter for the local authorities, which are statutorily entrusted with the administration of the scheme under the Local Authorities (Higher

Education Grants) Act, 1968. My Department has been in contact with all the local authorities and I understand that 31 of the 33 had paid a substantial number of first instalments by the end of October. Only two local authorities had less than 50 per cent of first instalments paid. The delay in making first instalment payments arose in cases where the local authorities were awaiting further information from applicants or where late applications were accepted.

The terms of the VEC scholarships scheme, which is administered by the vocational education committees, include provision for the payment of maintenance awards in three equal instalments, as early as possible in each term. My Department has been in contact with the vocational education committees and all but five had paid most of their first instalments by the end of October. The remaining five have now paid their first instalments.