Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:
909
Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the proposals he has to assess PAYE workers on net pay for the purposes of third level grant; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused due to the rise in inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24614/00]
The assessment of means under the third level student support schemes maintenance grants scheme is based on gross income with certain deductions for specified social welfare and health board payments. Any proposal to move to a means assessment system based on net income would have significant financial implications, in addition to equity issues, which would have to be addressed.
The practice in recent years has been to increase, annually, third level maintenance grants in line with inflation and to increase the reckonable income limits in line with movements in the average industrial wage. In line with this policy, I announced increases of 5% in the maintenance grant and of 5% in the income limits to qualify for a grant, for the 2000-01 academic year.
The reckonable income limit for a full maintenance grant under the student support schemes for the 2000-01 academic year is £20,200. Candidates who do not qualify for a full maintenance grant may qualify for a part-maintenance grant, 50%, in respect of which the income limit is £21,400. Where two or more children, or the candidate's parent, are attending full-time approved third level courses the above income limits may be increased by £2,270 where there are two such children, by £4,540 for three such children and so on, by increments of £2,270.
Some 40% of third level students qualify for maintenance grants. The question of further raising the reckonable income limits could only be considered having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the education sector.
The need to target resources at those most in need is well recognised and underpins this Government's approach to tackling disadvantage. In this regard there is provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling £95 million over the period of the plan. This fund will provide for additional financial support for disadvantaged students on top of the existing maintenance grants schemes. The objective of this measure is to facilitate and improve access to the labour market for the beneficiaries while improving their long-term employability through enhancing their educational qualifications.
I recently announced the setting up of an action group on access to third level education, with the aim of tackling under-representation of disadvantaged students in third level education. This action group will advise me on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote participation at third level by students in three disadvantaged groups – students with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and mature second chance students. I have asked the action group to provide a report to me within three months.
As an indication of the Government's support in promoting equity in access, and as an initial step pending the findings of the action group, I announced on 14 September 2000 the introduction of a special maintenance grant payable to disadvantaged grant holders, targeted at those most in need. The full rate of maintenance grant will increase from £1,775 to £2,000 for students residing more than 15 miles from college; and from £710 to £1,000 for students resident within 15 miles of college. Tentative indications are that in the region of 10,000 students may benefit from this measure.
Question No. 910 taken with Question No. 823.
