Vol. 513 No. 6
160 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils in each third level college who qualify by compliance with the PAYE income guidelines and those who qualified by meeting the criteria for income under self-assessment or other income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/00]
My Department funds three maintenance grant schemes for third level students. The higher education grant scheme which is administered by the local authorities; the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme, and the European Social Fund-aided maintenance grant scheme for trainees on third level courses, both of which are administered by the vocational education committees.
My Department does not have statistical data on the family income status of successful applicants to the schemes under the headings requested by the Deputy. My Department does, however, request statistical data from local authorities relating to a breakdown of new awards of Higher Education grants by socio-economic category. I will arrange for my Department to make available to the Deputy the relevant figures, by local authority, for 1998, which are at present being finalised.
I understand also that the fourth national survey of entrants to higher education being undertaken by Professor Patrick Clancy on behalf of the Higher Education Authority, which includes analysis of data relating to the social background of entrants, is expected to be published later this year.
