Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any provision will be made for students who are already in third level education and who are in receipt of non-adjacent higher education grants which have been reduced in budget 2011 but who may have to drop out of college due to inability to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/11]

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 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.

From this September, students who reside 45 kilometres or more from their higher education institution will continue to be eligible for the higher, non-adjacent 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.