Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remove the three year rule to qualify as an independent student for learners entering postgraduate education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27861/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department increased the duration of the studies break requirement in the 2010 student grant schemes and onwards from one year to three years. This was done because, in some cases, students who would not otherwise have qualified for a grant on the basis of parental income were availing of a 'gap year' which had the effect of creating a break in studies. The break in studies clause as it stood allowed these students to be re-classified as independent mature students and to qualify for grants and fees based on their own, rather than their parents' income. This was not the intention of the provision. The intention of the clause was to focus resources on genuine second chance and mature students. The increase to three years will ensure that the emphasis is, as intended, on facilitating these students to return to education and I have no plans to change this.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for independent learners under 23 years to qualify for the maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27862/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Student Support Act provides the Minister with the power to regulate for different classes of applicants. This power would enable me, if there are compelling reasons and adequate resources to do so, to consider extending the circumstances where a student could be assessed without reference to parental income.

My Department will review the circumstances where a means assessment independent of parental income would be appropriate in the context of the continuing programme of legislative and administrative reform of student grants which will include the on-going development of the new single unified scheme of student grants, introduced for the 2011/12 academic year. However, any extension of the provision of assessment as an independent student will have to be carefully considered to ensure it is highly targeted at very specific circumstances where students can demonstrate that they have been genuinely self-supporting and living independently for a period of time before commencing their studies. The potential costs of any such policy change will be a decisive factor in the current fiscal climate and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required for any proposed change.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for a continuation of the existing income criteria and payment rates in budget 2011 with regard to the maintenance grant for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27863/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to potential changes to the student grant scheme under the Budget for 2012. The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget is carried out on a strictly confidential basis and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget announcement.