Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 702: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to provide additional assistance to third level students who have to leave home to attend college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22991/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The three third level student support schemes, administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my Department, offer financial assistance to eligible students attending approved third-level courses. Financial assistance will continue to be available for individual students through the maintenance grant schemes, the Special Rate of maintenance grant, the Student Assistance Fund, the Fund for Students with Disabilities and the Department of Social and Family Affairs Back to Education Allowance scheme.

Under the student support schemes, maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or the non-adjacent rate. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grant holder's normal residence is 24 km or less from the college which he/she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in most other cases.