Grants and access to third-level education
De Rossa argued that inadequate means-tested grants prevent eligible students from attending third-level courses and urged changes. O’Rourke said the issue could be considered in later task-force reports.
Will the Minister accept that one of the major simplifications she could introduce would be to increase the grants available for those who find it difficult to get into third level education because of their means and who cannot afford to get into third level education under the present grant system? Is the Minister considering simplifying the system to cater for students who may qualify for entry to a course at third level but cannot attend because the points they obtained in the leaving certificate do not qualify them for the grant? Those changes could be introduced very easily.
Comment on this
The questions put to me related to the simplification of the procedures of entry to third level colleges. That matter will form the basis of the interim report to be issued at the end of June. I envisage later reports encompassing the points made by the Deputy. I accept that the points raised by him are worthy of consideration and debate but they do not arise on these questions.