Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason changes were made to the VTOS scheme this year; the savings these changes are expected to accrue; if her Department is considering reversing the removal of eligibility for student maintenance grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32206/10]

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 tuition fees payable to colleges will continue to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on their behalf.

It was decided to discontinue the practice of allowing students to hold both the BTEA or VTOS allowance and a student maintenance grant simultaneously as this represents a duplication of income support payments. This measure was recommended by the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, with an estimated saving for the 2010 financial year of €4m and a full financial year saving of some €35m.

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 continue to apply for assistance towards the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable.