Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps he will take to lessen the impact of his decision to introduce changes in the third level grant application process which will impact significantly on farming families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32632/09]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way the changes to the third level grant application process announced by him will impact on farming families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/09]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is expected that the changes to be introduced in September 2010 to the third level grant application process announced by him is expected to unfairly impact upon farming families; if a change of circumstances clause will be extended to apply to farming families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32631/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 177 and 179 together.

When I announced details of the student maintenance grant schemes for the 2009/2010 academic year I also gave notice that, with effect from the start of the 2010/11 academic year, further changes will be introduced. These include: Some social welfare allowances, including the Back to Education Allowance which had been excluded in the means-testing process, will be included as reckonable income in assessing eligibility for student grants; The accounting adjustment under the income tax farm stock relief provisions will be disregarded in calculating reckonable income for means-testing purposes; The residency requirement in the State for grant eligibility will be increased from one year to three out of the past five years for the student - a move that's in line with provisions already outlined in the Student Support Bill; The duration of the break in studies required for re-entry as an independently assessed mature student will be increased from one year to three years.

I announced these changes for the 2010/11 academic year so that students and their families are notified well in advance.

The new measures will not impact unfairly on any grant applicant but ensure better equity and equality in calculating eligibility for student maintenance grants so that public resources can continue to be targeted at those who need them most.

As in previous years the terms and conditions for the 2010 maintenance grant schemes, including the change in circumstance clause will be examined as part of the annual review undertaken by my Department.