Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the non-adjacent grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under Budget 2011, the previous Fianna Fáil-Green party Government introduced changes to the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate of student grant. These changes remove the automatic entitlement of mature students to the non-adjacent rate of grant and increase the qualifying distance criterion for that rate of grant to 45 kms.

As the previous Government had factored in the savings from these changes to the public expenditure programme for 2011, I regret that I am not in a position to reverse or vary them.

However, while a qualifying student may receive a lower rate of grant for the 2011/12 academic year, they will not loose grant assistance. Students on particularly low incomes will also receive a top-up in the special rate of grant.

Students in exceptional financial circumstances can apply for assistance under the Student Assistance Fund. Information on the Fund is available through the access offices of third-level institutions. The access offices themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.

Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that changes made by the previous Government to the adjacent and non-adjacent student maintenance grant scheme which has resulted in a fall of up to 60% in some maintenance payments, is resulting in an increase in the drop out rate among students, particularly mature students; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27521/11]

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.

A study of progression in Irish Higher Education – Oct 2010 looked at new entrants in 2007-8 and their progression into 2008-9. This report is a reference document that will inform policy and the development of interventions to improve rates of completion and graduation in higher education. 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.