Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the vocational education committee grant application and appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17724/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for a student's grant awarding body. Where a grant awarding authority turns down an application and subsequently rejects an appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department. No appeal has been received by my Department from the student to date. A review of the case will be carried out as quickly as possible should an appeal be received.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a third band of higher maintenance grant category in between the full adjacent and half adjacent qualifying distance between the student's home and college to facilitate those who previously fell into the full adjacent grant category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17730/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse or alter any of the changes to the student grant measures announced in Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil - Green Party Government. These changes included an increase in the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of grant. 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.