COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, September 14, 2009
HEADED ITEM NO.8b)
HEADED ITEM: M. Maguire - Corporate Services
ADOPTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT SCHEME
REPLY:
Adoption of Higher Education Grant Scheme
The Higher Education Grants Scheme for 2009 was issued by the Department of Education & Science on 27th July 2009.
Due to the delay in Departmental issue of details of the 2009 scheme and approaching timescale for receipt of student applications, Members’ “approval in principle” to the Scheme was given at the Council Meeting held in July 2009.
There have been some changes to the scheme, particularly in relation to the reckonable income limits for entitlement to the maximum and minimum rates of support, and the nationality clause.
The main changes to the 2009 Scheme are as follows:
- The income limit to qualify for 100% standard rate of maintenance grant and payment of the student service charge, where there are less than four dependent children, has been increased from €39,760 to €41,110. The top income threshold where there are less than four dependent children has been increased from €49,690 to €51,380.
For the 75%, 50% and 25% maintenance categories the reckonable limits as they appeared in the 2008 scheme will continue to apply. This arrangement is different to previous years when the same increase applied to all maintenance categories. - The annual income threshold for the special rate is being increased from € €20,147 to €22,308.
- There has been an increase in the student registration fee from €900 to €1,500.
- There has been no increased in the rate of grant award for post-graduate fees which remains at €6270.
- The current rates of maintenance grant award will continue to apply up to the end of 2009 when it will fall to be considered as part of the annual Department of Education budget process. Student maintenance grant rates from January 2010 may therefore be amended at that time.
- There have been revisions to the Nationality Clause to comply with rights and privileges specified in the Refugee Act 1996 and European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
A comparison of figures from 2008 to 2009 outlining the changes for the Reckonable Income Limits as referred to above are set out below.
Reckonable Income Limits for ordinary rates of grant for 2008
| No. of Dependent Children | Full Maintenance and Full Fees | Part Maintenance (75%) and Full Fees | Part Maintenance (50%) and Full Fees | Part Maintenance (25%) and Full Fees | Part Tuition Fees (50%) only* |
| Less than 4 | €39,760 | €42,235 | €44,720 | €47,205 | €49,690 |
| 4-7 | €43,680 | €46,415 | €49,145 | €51,880 | €54,605 |
| 8 or more | €47,430 | €50,400 | €53,360 | €56,320 | €59,280 |
Reckonable Income Limits for ordinary rates of grant for 2009
| No. of Dependent Children | Full Maintenance (100%) and Full Fees | Part Maintenance (75%) and Full Fees | Part Maintenance (50%) and Full Fees | Part Maintenance (25%) and Full Fees | Part Tuition Fees (50%) only |
| Less than 4 | €41,110 | €42,235 | €44,720 | €47,205 | €51,380 |
| 4-7 | €45,165 | €46,415 | €49,145 | €51,880 | €56,460 |
| 8 or more | €49,045 | €50,400 | €53,360 | €56,320 | €61,295 |
Maintenance Grants Rates to remain (as 2008) as follows until further advised otherwise by the Department of Education
| Non-Adjacent Rate | Adjacent Rate | |
| Full Maintenance | €3,420 | €1,370 |
| Part Maintenance (75%) | €2,565 | €1,030 |
| Part Maintenance (50%) | €1,710 | €685 |
| Part Maintenance (25%) | €855 | €345 |
Special Maintenance Grants Rates remain (as 2008) as follows until further advised by the Department of Education
| Grant | Standard Grant | Special Rate Amount | Total Grant |
| Non Adjacent Rate | €3,420 | €3,270 | €6,690 |
| Adjacent Rate | €1,370 | €1,310 | €2,680 |
In accordance with Section 5 of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968 the adoption of the Scheme is a reserved function of the Council.
Proposed changes for 2010
The Minister has also advised in advance of some changes planned for the 2010 scheme as follows:
- Inclusion of back to work allowance as reckonable income
- Inclusion of farm stock relief as reckonable income
- Extension of the residence clause
- Extend the break in studies requirement
It is recommended that the Council adopt the 2009 Draft Scheme as proposed.