Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 603: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has had discussions with the Department of Social Protection on the way persons returning to education to third level can obtain back to education allowance and mature students grant. [28298/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the current difficult economic circumstances have necessitated tough choices to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In these circumstances, from September 2010, as announced in the budget, all new applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, will be ineligible for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and any fees payable to colleges will continue to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on their behalf.

Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the relevant grant schemes. Students progressing to a new course with effect from 2010-11 will no longer be eligible for student maintenance grants but can apply for assistance towards the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable.

The Minister for Social Protection and I have discussed the particular impact of the decision on the students referred to by the Deputy (ie. those who in 2010 have or are in process of completing their access course) in the context of implementation of these changes and the matter is being examined by both Departments.