Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he considers it fair that 700 students in County Donegal and thousands across the State are facing a cut in their student support income due to the fact that the non-adjacent rate of grant was increased from 24 km to 45 km in the last budget; and if he will reverse this cut. [19066/11]

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.