Vol. 570 No. 2
254 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the allocation of funding from the recently announced budget, for promoting participation from disadvantaged backgrounds in third level education, which will be provided to PLC courses in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18339/03]
My Department funds the maintenance grant scheme in respect of students pursuing post-leaving certificate, PLC courses.
On 25 May 2003, I was pleased to announce a new package of measures costing €42 million in a full year to further address and ameliorate the problems facing students from low to moderate income households in accessing further education.
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 key elements of the package are as follows: increasing grant levels, including maintenance grants for eligible PLC students, by 15%; extending the thresholds and increasing the gradations as follows: €0 to €32,000 for 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; increasing the amount of the top-up grant to the maximum personal rate of unemployment assistance – this will benefit eligible grantholders pursuing PLC courses; and extending the threshold for the €670 student service charge from €36,897 to €40,000.
I believe that this substantial package of measures will provide an unprecedented opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their full potential in the education system.
