Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Go raibh maith ag an Aire Stáit agus fáiltím roimh an soiléiriú. I welcome the clarification. I am attempting to do some basic mathematics but it was not my strongest subject at leaving certificate level. Although I welcome the fact that a new scholarship scheme will be put in place for DEIS programme students - they certainly need a scheme - it is disappointing that the other scholarships have been scrapped. Some children in Gaeltacht areas are not linked to a DEIS programme school but can do very well and are certainly in a position of disadvantage. They would have accessed the other schemes previously.

There appears to be a considerable cutback in funding. Some €1.7 million was available in 2012 for the five existing schemes. According to my rudimentary mathematics, only €120,000 will be spent and there is only €62,000 available in grants this year. Even in three years when we reach the full cohort of 350 students, the amount comes to €700,000. That is a cutback of €1 million to €700,000. At a time when families are finding it difficult to make ends meet and given the increasing costs of sending children to school and college and the increasing costs of transport, etc., it is a shame that these other scholarship schemes have been cut back. I called on the Minister of State to contact the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, and ask him to reassess the funding available and to return it to the level of €1.7 million at a minimum. He should consider that students who do not attend DEIS programme schools may also be in a position of disadvantage and may need support. They may need a scholarship as well.