Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

374 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will use the additional increases in funding for educational disadvantage at third level to address the effect of currency fluctuations on third level students in receipt of maintenance grants; if he will examine the case of students studying in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27198/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There is provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling £95 million over the period of the plan, aimed at tackling under-representation by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students and students with disabilities.

The objective of this measure is to facilitate and improve access to the labour market for the beneficiaries whilst improving their long-term employability. In particular, it will meet the specific needs of students with disabilities in terms of equipment and support services; provide financial support to disadvantaged students by way of additional support to the existing maintenance grants scheme; develop outreach initiatives currently undertaken by a number of third level institutions which involve links with second level schools and community groups and are designed to both assist students to meet the points requirements for the standard CAO entry procedures and to provide complementary special entry arrangements; and expand the provision of particular services, such as counselling and mentoring services, to meet the needs of non-traditional students.

In the current year, total funding of £3.4 million is provided under this measure, principally for my Department's special fund for students with disabilities; my Department's student assistance-access fund; funding for access officers and seed funding for access schemes within the institute of technology sector; and assistance to the Northside Partnership's higher education support scheme.

In September last, I established an action group on access to third level education to advise on measures which would tackle under-representation by disadvantaged students. This action group will advise me on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote participation at third level by such students. I have asked the group to provide a report to me within three months.

With regard to currency fluctuations, the position is that, since 1996, the student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other EU member states. Prior to this, grants were only payable to students who were pursuing approved courses in the Republic and Northern Ireland. In this context, and following discussions with the local authorities regarding the necessary administrative arrangements, it was agreed that students pursuing approved courses in other EU member states, including in Northern Ireland, would be paid the value of the grant in the currency of the country in which they were studying, and that the value of the maintenance grant to be paid in all circumstances would be the Irish value converted to the currency of the country in which the student is pursuing his-her course.

Prior to 1996, students studying in Northern Ireland were paid the amount of the grant in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Those students studying in Northern Ireland who were assessed under the student support schemes prior to 1996 continued to receive their grants in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Students who commenced their studies from 1996 are paid under the revised arrangements.

In December last, in response to a number of representations, local authorities and vocational education committees were advised that grant holders should be given the option of having their grant paid either in Irish punts or in the currency of the country in which they are studying. This concession allows students studying in Northern Ireland or the UK to receive their grants in Irish punts rather than sterling, if they so wish.

While the current exchange rate difficulties with sterling are appreciated, my Department is not in a position to supplement grant aid for students pursuing courses in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the EU. Moreover, such an approach could well give rise to anomalies and to claims of inequitable treatment between students studying in different countries.