Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide figures for the numbers of students who dropped out of third level education as a result of a cut or decrease resulting in the higher education grants scheme, the VEC's scholarship scheme, the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees and the maintenance grants scheme for PLC students. [22548/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The HEA is responsible for the collection of data on student progression. The most recent report by the HEA entitled 'A study of Progression in Higher Education', published in October 2010, is available on the HEA website.

The proportion of new entrants in 2007/08 who were not present one year later was 15% on average across all sectors and NFQ Levels.

However, the Deputy will appreciate that a number of factors influence progression in higher education, and the study shows that prior educational attainment is a significant factor. My Department does not collect data in relation to the impact of reductions in the student grant on retention rates in further and higher education.

In the context of the current economic circumstances, difficult choices have been made by the Government to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability. Despite the difficult circumstances in our public finances, my priority as Minister for Education and Skills is to preserve access, to the greatest extent possible, for the most disadvantaged students to further and higher education.

It is worth emphasising that 41% of all undergraduate students currently receive a grant and pay no student contributions. In addition, the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.

Non-Presence Rates for New Entrants by Sector and NFQ Level (2008/09).