Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if she has received correspondence from Union of Students in Ireland in relation to proposed changes to maintenance grant criteria in Budget 2011; if she recognises the impact of same on students; if she will review same in the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1415/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy on 7th January, 2011. A response to the matters raised by the Union of Students in Ireland will issue shortly.

The allocation for student grants in 2011 is just over €385m. This is an increase of some 5% or €18m over the 2010 provision.

Increases in the number of students qualifying for grants, increases in proportions now qualifying for higher rates of grants as well as the introduction of the Student Contribution paid for on behalf of grant-holders each account for additional cost pressures in 2011.

In order to manage these cost pressures, a number of savings measures are necessary in 2011. While the measures involved 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.