Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider the proposed changes to the higher education grants scheme as it applies to the adjacent and non-adjacent rates from September 2011 in view of the fact that these will have a particularly detrimental effect on independent mature students who have fixed outgoings and commitments; if she will reconsider the proposals as they apply to this category of student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3094/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Additional cost pressures will be brought to bear on the student grant schemes in 2011. These include a significant increase in the number of students qualifying for grants, a proportionate increase in the number of students qualifying for higher rates of grants and payment of the Student Contribution on behalf of grant-holders. To manage these cost pressures, it was necessary to introduce a number of cost saving measures.

These savings measures included removal of the automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant. This will come into effect 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. While the different measures announced in the Budget 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.

In fact, students qualifying for a grant will continue to receive substantial grant funding, together with full support for payment of the Student Contribution. 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.