Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current income limit for higher education grant and the value of grants payable; and if he has made any provisions in the 2010 no policy change estimates for changes in the income thresholds of payment. [45150/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The income limit to qualify for the full standard rate maintenance grant and payment of the student services charge where there are fewer than four dependent children was increased from €39,760 to €41,110 for the academic year 2009/2010. The income threshold for the Special Rate of maintenance grant was also increased in line with the relevant social welfare comparators from €20,147 to €22,308. Full details of the current income limits and rates of grant are attached. In addition, undergraduate students who qualify under the maintenance grant schemes have the student services charge paid on their behalf. In 2009/10, this adds a further €1,500 to the value of the grants as outlined.

It has been my Department's practice in recent years to increase the reckonable income limits under the maintenance grant schemes in line with movements in the average industrial wage. Such increases are regarded as being essentially cost neutral.

HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS SCHEME, 2009:

Maintenance Grants Rates

SPECIAL RATE OF MAINTENANCE GRANT FOR 2009/10

HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS SCHEME, 2009

Reckonable Income Limits for the ordinary rates of grant* for the period 1 January, 2008 to 31 December 2008 (the tax year 2008)

**Full Student Service Charge is paid where income is at or below this level.

*In the 2009/10 academic year, where 2 or more children (or the candidate's parent) are pursuing a course of study listed below, the reckonable income limits for Full Maintenance (100%) and Full Fees and the Part Tuition Fee (50%) only categories may be increased by €4,980 where there are 2 such children, €9,960 where there are 3 such children and so on, by increments of €4,980.

For the Part Maintenance and Full Fees at 75%, 50% and 25%, the reckonable income limits may be increased by €4,815 where there are 2 such children, €9,630 where there are 3 such children and so on, by increments of €4,815.

(i) attending full-time third level education

(ii) attending a recognised PLC course, student nurse training or student Garda training

(iii) participating in a Fáilte Ireland (formerly CERT) course of at least one years duration

(iv) attending a full time Teagasc course in an agricultural college

(v) attending a recognised full-time further education course, of at least one year's duration, in Northern Ireland

SPECIAL RATE OF MAINTENANCE GRANT

For the award of a special rate of maintenance grant in respect of the 2009/10 academic year, a candidates reckonable income(for the period 1 January, 2008 to 31 December 2008 the tax year 2008) shall not exceed: - €22,308 net of standard exclusions (as set out in Clause 1 of this Scheme) and net of Child Dependant Increase (C.D.I.) paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs