Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

133 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the terms of reference for the review of the administration for the schemes of student support at third level; when this report will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26537/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

In the present financial year expenditure on student support, including free fees, is expected to be about £250 million.

In view of the scale of expenditure involved and the representations being made by students and other groups, I announced on 11 November that I was setting up a special project team to carry out a comprehensive review of every aspect of the maintenance grants, and other student supports, to ensure their relevance to the needs of present day third level students. This review will include the level of grants, the methods by which they are paid, eligibility and income limits, accommodation needs, student support services, the most suitable paying agency, the provision of an appeals system, student loans and taxation measures. The project team is to report to me by the end of March 2001. There are no proposals at this stage to publish the report.