Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

John Perry

Ceist:

592 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon is entitled to; if financial assistance will be provided in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16168/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student, referred to by the Deputy.

If an individual applicant considers that s/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, s/he may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his-her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may, itself, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department.

However, it is not open to me, or my Department, to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

593 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a student from a household with an income of a few euro greater than the limit set by his Department for qualification for the higher education grant, is entitled to no grant support at all; and if he will introduce a number of income bands, on which the size of the grant can be calculated rather than basing it on one figure. [16170/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions:

(a) The higher education grants scheme

(b) The vocational education committees' scholarship scheme

(c) The third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees

All three schemes have similar provisions relating to the assessment of means for purposes of determining eligibility. In the case of both the employed and self-employed, gross income is assessed with certain deductions for specified social welfare and health board payments.

There is provision in the schemes for a number of income threshold bands, related to the number of dependent children taken into consideration.

In relation to the 2002 income limits, my approach has been to follow the practice of recent years and increase the reckonable income limits in line with movements in the average industrial wage in the previous year. I also approved an increase of 7% in the reckonable income limits for the 2002-03 academic year. This exceeded the increase in the average industrial wage for the period March 2000 to March 2001, which was 6.7%.

I also approved a significant increase of 15% in the allowance by which the income thresholds may be increased for each dependant where two or more children are in further or higher education. This is in line with the commitment in the June 2002 programme for Government.

I give, for the Deputy's information, the income threshold bands applicable for grant eligibility for the 2002/03 academic year.

Higher Education Grants Scheme 2002

Reckonable Income Limits*

(for the period 6 April, 2001 to 31 December 2001 (the tax year 2001))

Number of Dependent Children	Full Maintenance and full fees	Part Maintenance (50%) & full fees	Full Fees Only	Part Fees (50%) Only
Less than 4	€ 21,629IR£17,034	€22,914IR£18,046	€ 25,805IR£20,323	€ 27,304IR£21,504
4 – 7	€ 23,770IR£18,721	€ 25,055IR£19,732	€ 27,947IR£22,010	€ 29,445IR£23,190
8 or more	€25,805IR£20,323	€ 27,304IR£21,504	€30,088IR£23,696	€31,586IR£24,877

*In the 2002/2003 academic year where two or more children (or the candidate's parent) are pursuing a course of study listed below the reckonable income limits may be increased by €2,615 (IR£2,059) where there are two such children, €5,230 (IR£4,119) where there are three such children and so on, by increments of €2,615 (IR £2,059):

(i) attending full-time third level education

(ii) attending a recognised PLC course, student nurse training or student Garda training

(iii) participating in a CERT course of at least one year's duration

(iv) attending a full time Teagasc course in an agricultural college

(v) attending a recognised full-time further education course, of at least one year's duration, in Northern Ireland