Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he has replaced and renamed the five scholarship schemes for higher education, namely the Easter Week 1916 Commemoration Scholarship, An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Triú Leibhéal do Scoláirí ón nGaeltacht, An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Gaeilge Triú Leibhéal, An Scéim Scolaireachtaí Triú Leibhéal and the Donogh O’Malley Scholarship Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39022/12]

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

As announced in the 2012 Budget, five scholarship schemes for higher education, including the Easter Week 1916 and Irish scholarships, have been replaced with a new single scheme of bursaries. The awards under the new scheme are fixed at €2,000 per student. The bursary is an extra support and incentive to recognise high achievement for students who are from disadvantaged families and attending DEIS schools. Those students to whom bursaries are awarded will also be entitled to apply for student grants towards the cost of maintenance and the student contribution or fees.

This change has been made in order to make the best use of scarce resources so as to focus on the best performing students in the cohort of those who are most in need of financial help. Awards are made on a regional basis and students from all DEIS schools will be considered. These changes will not impact on those who already hold scholarships under the existing schemes.