Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse the proposed budget cut of 5% to the student maintenance grant. [4231/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As announced in the Budget, a reduction of 5% is being applied to the rates of student grants and scholarships. This reduction is being implemented in respect of all existing and new grant-holders from January 2010. This reduction is broadly in line with reductions in other income maintenance payments including those for the unemployed.

The reductions in the rates of student grants were necessary to ensure that the system is not extended beyond what current resources will allow in a climate of overall pressures on public finances and a background of reducing rental and other costs of living for students, as evidenced by latest CPI figures which indicate that deflation is now running at 5.0% (December 2008 to December 2009).

Students who qualify for maintenance grants will continue to receive substantial grant funding, together with full support for payment of the student service charge. Those on particularly low incomes will also continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of maintenance grant.

In addition, some €5m will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. The access offices themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.