I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together.
I was pleased to announce on 25 May 2003 a new package of measures costing €42 million in a full year and for which provision will be made in the Department's Estimates for 2003 and 2004 to further address and ameliorate the problems faced by students from low to moderate income households in accessing third level education.
As Deputies will be aware, this package combines substantial improvements in the level and coverage of the maintenance grant for those on low to moderate incomes, with increases in the level of top-up grant for those who are most disadvantaged. The package will increase grant levels by 15%, benefiting an estimated 56,000 students. It will extend the thresholds and increase the gradations as follows: €0 to €32,000 for the full grant; €32,000 to €34,000 for 75% grant; €34,000 to €36,000 for half grant; and €36,000 to €38,000 for 25% grant. An extra 5,000 students will qualify for a full maintenance grant. Overall, it is estimated that some 11,000 students will receive some benefit for the first time. Furthermore, the package will increase the top-up grant to the maximum personal rate of unemployment assistance. It is estimated that in excess of 7,500 students will benefit. It will extend the threshold for the €670 student service charge from €36,897 to €40,000. This will benefit some 4,000 students from households with moderate incomes.
This substantial package will provide the unprecedented opportunity to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their full potential in the education system. I recognise that third level access is only one part of the picture in addressing educational disadvantage and that success in third level education must be built on a solid foundation of general education that fosters self-esteem, a love of learning and experience of success in learning.
Early investment in measures to address disadvantage is critical to success. I am determined, therefore, to continue to invest substantially in primary and post-primary education, including learning supports, curricular reforms and teacher development. All of these investments are inter-related and contribute to addressing disadvantage and supporting access to a quality education system.
The package is in addition to the significant increase in funding for third level access over the past five years. Such funding has increased from a base of €508,000 in 1997 to €26 million this year. This, together with targeted funding by the Higher Education Authority – more than €6 million in 2002 – and funding to the institutes of technology, has enabled the implementation of many of the key recommendations in the report of the action group on access to third level education to be set in train. I am committed to progressing these recommendations further.
The promotion of quality in, and equitable access to, education, higher education in particular, has consistently been identified as one of my key policy priorities since taking office. If we are to break cycles of disadvantage, create opportunities and optimise our broader economic and social potential we must ensure the broadest possible level of participation in higher education. My overriding objective is to target those who are most in need and to do so at an appropriate level.