Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way she will address the low financial supports available to third level and further education students on low income but above the social welfare threshold. [6769/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of the full maintenance grant for third level students at €4,320 a year is unrealistic for any student studying and living in the Greater Dublin Area where independent estimates suggest that the real cost should be closer to €9,500 per year; and if she will make a statement on her proposals to increase the standard and top up grants to match social welfare levels. [6060/08]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans, to increase the combined family income threshold of €38,675 having regard to the cost of living increase and the extra cost burdens being imposed on students whose families marginally exceed the threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6063/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 126 and 166 together.

It has been the practice in recent years to increase the level of maintenance grants annually, at least in line with inflation. Under the 2007 schemes, however, I secured approval for a 10% increase in the standard rate of student grant for the academic year 2007/08. This very substantial increase, at twice the rate of inflation, will assist in meeting the costs associated with attending higher and further education for over 56,000 students who receive a maintenance grant.

This has resulted in an increase in the maximum rate of ordinary grant to €3,420 for 2007/08 and students who qualify will also have the student service charge paid on their behalf. In addition, over 13,200 students in receipt of the Special Rate of maintenance grant have benefited from an even more substantial increase of over 14%, with the maximum rate for 2007/08 increasing to €6,690.

I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students and to consolidate the administration of this unified grants scheme in the VEC sector. This will, I believe, provide for a more coherent administrative system. The scheme, which will be underpinned by a new Student Support Bill, will facilitate consistency of application, improved client accessibility and timely delivery of grants. As the Deputy is aware the Student Support Bill was published recently.

Under my Department's student maintenance grant schemes, I am committed to ongoing improvements in the student support schemes including increasing the rates and income limits, as resources permit.

In addition in publicly funded third level institutions there is a Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The objective of the SAF is to assist students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise, because of financial reasons, suffer severe hardship or be unable to continue their third level studies. Applications for funding should be made by the individual student to the Access Officer in their institution. The SAF is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Another initiative under the Third Level Access Fund is the Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage. It supports students from disadvantaged areas with regard to retention and participation in further or higher education courses. Information on Partnership/Community Groups can be obtained at An Pobal.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she proposes to introduce a new system of means tested free fees for approved part-time courses; if she will introduce free fees on a pilot basis for a selected programme of courses; her objective in relation to providing relief from fees for the approximately 35,000 part time students currently paying fees; the percentage of such students she anticipates being required not to pay fees following the introduction of her new system of free fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6059/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Towards 2016 Agreement contains a commitment to put in place a targeted scheme to alleviate the fees in public institutions for part-time courses at third level for those at work who have not previously pursued a third level qualification. In relation to the implementation of this commitment, the HEA has developed proposals for a Modular Accreditation Programme (MAP) that could be delivered on a flexible part time basis through a number of third level institutions. Students participating in the programme will benefit from a substantial fee subsidy. A pilot Modular Accreditation Programme commenced in Tallaght IOT in October 2007.

The Higher Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology, to be awarded at HETAC Level 6, will focus on providing education and training in fundamental and applied aspects of science and good manufacturing practice relevant to the pharma/healthcare industry. It is proposed to launch a number of additional Modular Accreditation programmes in 2008.

Students pursuing approved part time undergraduate courses are eligible for tax relief on their fees. The Strategic Innovation Fund which the Government introduced to incentivise reform and modernisation of higher education also provide opportunities for institutions to review their structures to provide better opportunities for part-time provision. For example, in the institute of technology sector, Cork IT is leading a project to enhance opportunities for people in employment to access learning to enhance their skills for current and future occupations.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce a more extensive new system of means-tested free fees, with a view to enabling more people with work or family commitments to avail of opportunities at third level. The timescale for implementing this commitment will depend on the resources available in future Budgets.