Vol. 562 No. 3
119 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the effect the decision of the Department of Social and Family Affairs to cut the back to education allowance for post-graduate study will have on the number of people taking up postgraduate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5942/03]
I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, that following the report of the independent estimates review committee last year, it was decided that, in relation to new claims from 1 January 2003, the back to education allowance would be payable only in respect of the pursuit of courses to primary degree level.
I understand that the basis for this decision was that the resources of this programme should be directed at those who need additional training or qualifications in order to gain a foothold in the labour market. Claimants who already hold a third level qualification have already achieved a good standard of academic attainment which should have a positive impact on their employment prospects.
I further understand that during the present academic year a total of 650 participants are availing of this scheme while pursuing postgraduate courses of study at an estimated cost of €4.6 million. The latest figures available from the Higher Education Authority for the 2001-02 academic year indicate that there are a total of some 12,300 students pursuing postgraduate studies in universities and Higher Education Authority designated institutions and a further 940 in the institute of technology sector. My Department provides a range of financial supports for postgraduate students as outlined in my Department's publication "Financial Support for Further and Higher Education 2002/03". The two research councils – The Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology also support post-graduates through bursaries and scholarships.
