Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
282 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the implementation of the Donagh O’Malley scholarships for students from areas of significant disadvantage, promised in the joint programme for Government; and the amount of money proposed, the areas to be covered and the timescale involved. [17525/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2003 I announced a package of measures costing €42 million aimed at improving the student support systems, with particular emphasis on providing support to those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The latest figures indicate that the number of people who benefited from the special rate of maintenance, or top-up grants, in the academic year 2003-2004 is in the region of 10,700.
In addition the Government, with assistance from the European Social Fund, provides funding through my Department for a number of initiatives to increase participation in further and higher education from students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Last year I also announced the establishment of the national office for equity of access to higher education within the Higher Education Authority, proposed by the action group on access to third level education. The national office is fully operational since February 2004. Its remit is to facilitate inclusive and equitable access to higher education from under represented groups and promote improved participation by students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, students with a disability and mature second chance students.
It must recommend a possible national strategy to me that will achieve a significant improvement in equity of access to higher education. It must undertake a review of the effectiveness of existing measures and programmes. It will suggest, if necessary, a more structured approach to the allocation of funding for future years that will result in measurable improvements in line with our overall objective of promoting greater equity of access to third level education, through improved targeting of student support access initiatives.
The implementation of the Government's commitment to introduce the Donagh O'Malley scholarships can be addressed when the outcome of the review becomes available. It should inform decisions into how best the commitment can be progressed.
