John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of mature independent students awarded a full maintenance grant in 2010 and 2011; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31497/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I regret that the grant awarding authorities do not collate information on the number of independent mature students in receipt of the various rates of student grant. The rates of grant effective from January 2011 are:

.......................................Non-Adjacent Rate.........Adjacent Rate

Full Maintenance........................€3,120......................€1,250

Part Maintenance (75%)............€2,340........................€ 940

Part Maintenance (50%)............€1,560........................€ 625

Part Maintenance (25%)..............€ 780........................€ 315

The special rate of grant effective from January 2011 is:

...........................................Non-Adjacent Rate....Adjacent Rate

Full Special Rate.......................€6,100......................€2,445

Of which top-up represents.......€2,980......................€1,195

All eligible students, including mature students, receive a grant in the range outlined above depending on their particular circumstances. Their fees and/or student contribution are also paid on their behalf.

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the disparity between the back to education allowance recipients and low income mature independent students who have had their full maintenance grant cut from €3,120 to €1,250 in the Budget 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31498/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection. The BTEA scheme was established to assist people who have been out of the workforce for some time and whose opportunities of obtaining employment would be enhanced by participation in the scheme. In this regard, I understand that there is a requirement to be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period of time. Effectively, the BTEA scheme enables continued payment of the full rate of social protection benefit or allowance so that, for example, an unemployed person will continue to be supported to enable him/her to upskill and move back into employment. The student grant scheme has a different target group, for example, school leavers and mature learners who wish to return to education and the maintenance portion of the grant represents a contribution towards the living costs of the student. While there have been changes in the eligibility criteria for certain rates of maintenance grant, student grant recipients continue to have their tuition fees and/or student contribution paid in addition to any maintenance payment. Students within this group on particularly low incomes may also qualify for a top-up in the higher, special rate of maintenance grant. Independent mature students who have been unemployed or who qualify for a relevant social protection payment may opt to hold the BTEA, but may also apply for additional support for their tuition fees and/or student contribution under the student grant scheme.