Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the reduction in grants payable to students attending third level college depending on their distance from home; the amount of these payments that will be reduced; his views on students who are finding these reductions in the grant very difficult to sustain and to remain in college as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20215/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy is referring to a change to the student grant scheme introduced by his Government under Budget 2011 which changed the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of grant from 24kms to 45kms. Some 18,000 students qualifying for grant support are estimated to live between 24kms and 45kms from their colleges. From next September, students eligible for a maintenance grant in this cohort will receive the adjacent rate of grant together with payment of their fees or student contribution. All students on particularly low incomes will continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of grant. The Student Assistance Fund at some €5m continues to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.