Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals regarding the referral of the administration of the third level grants scheme, as there is a widely held perception that while those on lower incomes can qualify for maintenance grants and those who are self employed qualify for grants with relative ease, children of PAYE workers find it extremely difficult to qualify; the supports which exist for this category of worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7882/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third-level students. The higher education grants scheme operates on a statutory basis, while the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme and the third-level maintenance grants scheme for trainees operate on an administrative basis. The statutory framework for maintenance grants under the higher education grants scheme is set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992.

The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students in higher education. This will provide for a more coherent administration system which will facilitate consistency of application and improved client accessibility and ensure the timely delivery of grants to those who need them most.

The current income limits and grant rates have been forwarded for the information of the Deputy.