Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to retain the original non-adjacent rate of student support for all existing mature students who are currently on a course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15073/11]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 12 May 2011, if he will reconsider and reverse the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate for higher education grants in view of the fact that it directly impedes upon more than 600 students attending a college (details supplied) in County Kerry who are in receipt of the student grant. [15244/11]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 7 June 2011, if he will provide an estimate on the number of mature students who are not in receipt of the non-adjacent rate of grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15292/11]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of mature students receiving third level grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/11]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if cuts to higher level grants for mature students in the middle of their course will jeopardise their ability to finish their courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15435/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201, 216, 219, 227 and 228 together. I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse any of the changes to the student grant measures announced in Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil - Green Party Government. These changes included the removal of the automatic entitlement of mature students to the non-adjacent rate of grant and an increase in the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of grant. It is estimated that some 30% of the student grant cohort or some 21,600, are mature students and all of these would currently be in receipt of the non-adjacent rate of grant. From next September, mature students who reside 45 kilometres or more from their higher education institution will continue to be eligible for the higher rate of grant. Those on particularly low incomes will also continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of grant. In addition, third level students in difficult financial circumstances will have access to the Student Assistance Fund. I understand the concerns of students with regard to the changes to the student grant schemes for the 2011/12 academic year and I will take account of these in considering any future changes as part of the budgetary process for 2012 and beyond, having regard to the position of the public finances.