Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 36: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the decision in Budget 2011 to reduce the automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of grants payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47679/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant will be discontinued from the start of the 2011/12 academic year. However, mature students who reside 45 kilometres or more from their higher education institution will continue to be eligible for the higher non-adjacent rate of grant. Essentially, this will mean that all students in similar circumstances will now be treated in a similar way. The Government's approach to dealing with the current difficulties in the public finances has meant that, in making very difficult choices, the burden has been spread as fairly as possible. It is important to remember that qualifying students will continue to receive substantial grant funding, together with full support for payment of the €1,500 student service charge. Those on particularly low incomes will also continue to receive a significant "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.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 37: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the decision in Budget 2011 which will see changes to the non-adjacent rate of grant support whereby the distance required to qualify will effectively be doubled from 24km to 45 km for all existing and new applicants from September 2011; her views on whether such a proposal would adversely effect grant-holders ability to attend third level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47672/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The change in the qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant from 24 to 45 kilometres has been introduced as one of a number of savings measures necessary to manage the increasing cost pressures in the student grants area.

The existing distance has been in place since the grant schemes were introduced in 1968. However, vastly improved transport facilities and road networks and better and more cost effective travelling options have altered commuting practice more generally in society over that time. Statistics indicate that some 45% of all full-time students now choose to live in their own or their parents' home during term time. Yet some 77% of grant holders are currently on the higher non-adjacent rate.

The new measure will come into effect from September 2011 resulting in a savings yield of some €10m in 2011, with a full-year saving of some €30m.

While the measures in relation to student grants outlined in Budget 2011 will result in changes to the rate of grant payable, none of the measures will result in a student losing a grant or becoming ineligible for a grant.