Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Adult Education

9:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 1116: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the nature and level of grant aid which is available to a mature person who wishes to return to education, and in particular to undertake graduate courses in September 2010; the eligibility criteria for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2038/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The main financial support available to students in higher education is the Maintenance Grant. Mature students who are entering approved courses are eligible for financial assistance where they satisfy the relevant conditions including those relating to residence, means, age, nationality and previous academic attainment.

Under the student grant schemes a mature candidate, if approved, is automatically provided with the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance which, this year, ranges from €810 to €6,355 dependent on individual circumstances. The entitlement to the non-adjacent rate applies regardless of how far the college is from the mature candidates residence and whether or not the candidate is dependent on or independent of his/her parent(s) or guardian(s).

The NDP funded 'Third Level Access Measure' is also supporting the participation of mature students in higher education, in particular those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Student Assistance Fund is available in all recurrently funded higher education institutions. Mature students who have additional needs arising due to a disability or learning difficulty can make an application to the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Applications for support can be made via the access or disability service in the institution.

In 2008 I launched a National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-2013. This plan builds on investment of resources and work that has taken place to date and sets new targets for the future including participation by mature students in Higher Education. A mid-term review of progress in the implementation of this plan and the achievement of these objectives will be conducted by the Higher Education Authority in 2010.

The criteria for the 2010 maintenance grant schemes is currently being reviewed. Decisions on the 2010 schemes will be announced as soon as the process is completed.

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