Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
441 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount allocated by his Department towards the third level grant scheme for each year since 1997; the number of grant schemes being funded by his Department and the manner in which they operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21889/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure in respect of my Department's four student maintenance grant schemes for the past seven years since 1997 and the allocations for 2004 are outlined in tabular form for the Deputy's information. With regard to the allocation for the higher education grants scheme in 1997, two factors contributed to a substantially higher allocation than in subsequent years — up to 1997, local authorities recouped payments in respect of the scheme one year in arrears. A Supplementary Estimate was provided in 1997 to change to a system of recoupment on a current year basis; and the free fees initiative was introduced on a phased basis in 1995-96. From 1996-97 full undergraduate tuition fees were payable in respect of eligible students. Students who received grant assistance towards tuition fees under the higher education grant scheme prior to the introduction of free fees continued under this arrangement for the duration of their undergraduate course.
The figures for 2004 represent the allocations provided in the 2004 Estimates, whereas the data for 1997-2003 represents expenditure. My Department funds three student maintenance grant schemes for third level study — the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' scholarships scheme; and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees — and one maintenance grant scheme in respect of further education — the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate courses.
The higher education grants scheme is administered by the local authorities under the aegis of my Department. The other three schemes are administered by the vocational education committees under the aegis of my Department. Generally, students who are entering approved courses at undergraduate or postgraduate level for the first time are eligible for maintenance grants where they satisfy the prescribed conditions, including those relating to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.
The awarding bodies — local authorities and VECs — assess candidates' eligibility with reference to the terms and conditions prescribed in my Department's schemes and award grant assistance where appropriate.
The expenditure for the four maintenance grant schemes since 1997, and the allocations for 2004, are outlined in tabular form below.
|
Scheme |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
Higher Education Grants |
164,682 |
51,296 |
60,509 |
63,577 |
60,179 |
67,598 |
78,954 |
95,620 Allocation |
|
VEC Scholarships |
14,425 |
12,238 |
13,592 |
12,987 |
13,532 |
16,934 |
20,586 |
24,900 Allocation |
|
Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees |
24,302 |
27,128 |
24,783 |
28,292 |
26,343 |
28,625 |
29,259 |
34,000 Allocation |
|
Maintenance Grants for Students Attending PLC Courses |
N/A (PLC Scheme was introduced in 1998/99) |
6,984 |
5,950 |
9,940 |
11,472 |
12,027 |
13,187 |
15,233 Allocation |
