Continued Grant Increases Lead to Further Inclusiveness at 3rd Level

Fianna Fáil has yet again shown our commitment to the education of all people in our country. This comes as no surprise to those who have studied the history of our education system. We have brought this state from its knees to a country of full employment in our first term from 1997-2002. We are continuing to do this in our second term and in our 3rd term from 2007-2012 we aim to put Ireland on the global map as the centre of 4th level, postgraduate education at which we as a nation already excel.

This has been done through continuing faith and investment in the youth of this country. This country has an education system, though with many faults, still manages to be among the best on the planet. Our young people are among the most intellignet and internationally sought after. In the UK an Irish qualified teacher has better prospects than their UK educated counterparts. In the US; Irish accountants command much more respect and appreciation than their international counterparts. In the pharmaceutical industry, Ireland is considered to be a goldmine of graduates. This is all due to Fianna Fáil's continued committment to a stable, tough; yet immensely rewarding educational experience.

Listed below are the rates of maintenance grant; showing measurable increases on the 2005/2006 academic year.

Family income limits

The family income limits for eligibility for a maintenance grant (for the period 1 January to 31 December in the previous year) are set out below.

Number of Dependent Children	Full Maintenance	Part Maintenance (75%)	Part Maintenance (50%)	Part Maintenance (25%)	Exempt from student service* (or registration) charge
Less than 4 2006/2007	€37,365	€39,695	€42,030	€44,365	€46,700
Less than 4 2005/2006	€35,485	€37,695	€39,915	€44,350	N/A
Increase	€1,880	€2,000	€2,115	€15	€2,350

* Full student service charge is paid where income is at or below this level.

In the 2006/2007 academic year, where two or more children (or the candidate's parent) are pursuing 3rd level courses, the reckonable income limits may be increased by 4,525 where there are two such members of the household, and so on for each additional member of the household attending a full-time 3rd level course. This represents a 5.35% increase on the previous year

Non-Adjacent Rates

These rates apply where the student's home address is more than than 15 miles from the place of study

Rates	2006/2007	2005/2006	increase
Full Maintenance	€3,110	€3,020	€90 (3.25%)
Part maintenance (75%)	€2,335	€2,265	€70 (3%)
Part maintenance (50%)	€1,555	€1,515	€40 (3.25%)
Part maintenance (25%)	€780	€755	€25 (3.25%)
Topup	€2,860	€2,315	€545 (23.5%)

Adjacent Rates

These rates apply where the student's home address is 15 miles or less from the place of study

Rates	2006/2007	2005/2006	increase
Full Maintenance	€1,245	€1210	€35 (2.9%)
Part maintenance (75%)	€935	€905	€30 (3.3%)
Part maintenance (50%)	€625	€605	€20 (3.3%)
Part maintenance (25%)	€310	€305	€5 (1.6%)
Topup	€1,145	€935	€210 (22.5%)