Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 November 2022
107. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if a list will be provided of all schemes and programmes under the remit of her Department for which a means test applies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme and State Examinations processes both determine if an exemption from their respective fees is applicable. My Department does not carry out means testing directly. The determination is based on whether a student or one of the parents/guardians has a current medical card and, if so, are then exempt from the fees. It should be noted that a temporary measure is in place for the waiver of the 2022/23 school transport fees and that fees were waived for all students sitting the junior and senior cycle State Examinations in 2022.
My Department also operates a Protestant Block Grant scheme. This is a means tested student support scheme that enables students to attend a school whose ethos accords with their faith tradition. This scheme, which is administered by the Secondary Education Committee, ensures that Protestant children who satisfy a means test can attend a school of their choice and can be used by the student to help pay boarding costs and/or tuition fees where the recipient attends a fee charging school. It can also be awarded towards boarding costs where the student attends a Protestant school in the free scheme that provides boarding facilities. Details of the means test for this scheme are available on: secgrant.ie/means-test-calculator/.
