Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the action being taken to ease the financial demands faced by mature students now that they can no longer avail of a vocational education committee grant while receiving back to education allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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From September 2010, the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government removed eligibility for all new applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and tuition fees payable to colleges continues to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on their behalf.

I understand that the reason it was decided to discontinue the practice of allowing students to hold both an allowance and a grant simultaneously was because this represented a duplication of income support payments. I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse this change.

The Deputy may be aware that students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant 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 who progressed to a new course with effect from 2010/11 are no longer eligible for student maintenance grants but can continue to apply for assistance towards the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable. To assist students in exceptional financial need, the Student Assistance Fund at some €5m continues to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions. The access offices themselves will also provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.