Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:
174
Ms Enright
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his plans to review the operation of the millennium fund for disadvantage in view of the fact that it is restricted solely to ADM-allotted areas rather than reflecting educational disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27027/03]
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:
179
Ms Enright
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his views on whether the maximum benefit is being derived for those most in need through the millennium fund for disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27032/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 179 together.
Under the social inclusion measures in the Government's national development plan, there is provision for a third level access fund totalling almost €121 million, over the period 2000 to 2006, aimed at tackling under-representation of a number of target groups including students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The report of the action group on access to third level education, published in 2001, sets out detailed recommendations in relation to the operation of the millennium partnership fund for disadvantage which provides assistance to partnership companies and community groups to develop their support schemes for students from disadvantaged families. These partnerships and community groups operate in the most disadvantaged areas in the country with a brief to engage in local development activities to promote social and economic inclusion.
Area Development Management, ADM, Limited, under whose aegis the partnerships operate, administered the fund for the 2001-02 academic year. The total allocation for that academic year was €1.27 million, with 37 partnerships and community groups receiving allocations from the fund. The action group report recommended an allocation of €1.27 million each year, for the fund, for the duration of the national development programme to 2006. However, for the 2002-03 academic year I significantly increased the allocation to €2 million. ADM Limited which is continuing to administer the fund, made allocations to 50 area partnerships and community groups in respect of the 2002-03 academic year. The provision of €2 million will continue to be made in respect of the fund for 2003 and it is anticipated that 59 partnerships and community groups will receive allocations.
ADM Limited forwards detailed reports periodically to my Department on the operation of the fund and I and my Department are appreciative of the work which the partnerships and community groups are carrying out in assessing applications and disbursing allocations to disadvantaged students. I have approved the establishment of the national office for equity of access to higher education which I anticipate will be fully operational shortly. A key function of the office will be to undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation of existing funding measures and programmes to promote access, including the millennium partnership fund for disadvantage.
Apart from the fund, my Department funds a number of other measures targeted at disadvantaged students. These measures include the special rates of maintenance grant, commonly referred to as top-up grants, and the student assistance fund which provides financial support to disadvantaged students who require additional support to enable them to fully benefit from their third-level studies.
Funding for access measures funded directly by my Department has increased from a base of €508,000 in 1997 to €26 million in the current year. The Deputy will be aware of my announcement, on 25 May 2003, of 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 third level 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. I believe that this substantial package of measures will provide the opportunity, in an unprecedented manner, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their full potential in the education system.
