Brian O'Shea
Ceist:440 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to increase the maintenance grants for postgraduate students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4883/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Students studying at postgraduate level may apply for financial assistance under the terms of the higher education grants scheme or, if appropriate, the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme. For 2000-2001 the non-adjacent and adjacent rates of maintenance grant are £1,775 and £710, respectively. A postgraduate grantholder is also eligible to have his or her fees paid up to a maximum amount of £3,064.
With regard to the level of maintenance grants, I have followed the practice of recent years and increased grant rates in line with increases in inflation. I have also increased the reckonable income limits, for purposes of the student support schemes in line with increases in the average industrial wage.
I announced late last year 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. Issues relating to the implementation of the team's recommendations will be addressed when its report has been completed.
Last October, I amended the student support schemes to provide financial assistance for eligible candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and who wish to enter a further postgraduate course at a higher level, which represents progression from the level at which the first qualification was attained. This amendment is operative from the current academic year, 2000-2001.
Section 21 of the Finance Act, 2000, provided for the introduction of tax relief for postgraduate fees paid in publicly funded colleges here and in other EU member states, as well as in private colleges in the State. This new relief, which is available for the tax year 2000-2001 onwards, will apply at the standard rate of tax and will be available to full time and part time postgraduate students. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from local tax offices.
I agree with the view expressed in the sub-mission, a copy of which has been supplied by the Deputy, that postgraduate students are an intrinsic part of the research infrastructure in Ireland, but do not accept that this Government has ignored its role in this country's prosperity. Increasing the number of people with higher degrees is an important national strategic objective. Apart from the general strategic objective of ensuring a vibrant pool of high quality postgraduates, the success of the substantial investment in our research capability is dependent on an adequate supply of high quality graduates.
In this regard, Government of Ireland research scholarships are awarded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences. More than 200 postgraduate scholarships have been awarded by the council since its establishment in 1998, including 93 awards for the academic year 2000-2001. These awards attract a maintenance allowance of £8,000 per annum for a maximum of three years.
I have recently announced the establishment of the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology. The new council will be putting in place, within these fields of study, similar postgraduate scholarship arrangements to those applying in the humanities and social science areas.
Under the programme for research in third level institutions, which is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, third level institutions compete for funding for institutional research programmes. These programmes can include the awarding by the colleges of postgraduate scholarships. A total of 236 such awards have been made since the launch of the first cycle of the programme in 1999. Theper capita amount awarded for scholarships varies according to institution and field of study.
Some 49 postgraduate scholarships were awarded in 2000 under the postgraduate research and development skills development initiative in the technological sector. These scholarships are valued at some £7,000 annually.