Róisín Shortall
Ceist:208 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and percentage of third level students in receipt of a third level maintenance grant for each of the past five academic years. [14442/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The information, requested by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department at present and will be forwarded directly to her.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:209 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons for the delay in the report from the committee established to examine third level grants; when the report is expected to be completed; if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14443/01]
The remit of the special project team, to which the Deputy refers, is 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, which is at present in progress, is a wide-ranging review covering many topics. These 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.
Some of these topics are, of their nature, complex and require detailed research. For example, costings of the effect of changes in the income limits, below which applicants become eligible for a grant, have been commissioned, and carried out, for the special review. Notwithstanding this, however, I expect to that the review will be completed in the near future.
Issues relating to the implementation of the team's recommendations will be addressed when its report has been completed. The question of publishing the report will also be addressed at that time.