Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his advice regarding the attached correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As announced in the 2012 Budget, five scholarship schemes for higher education, including the Easter Week 1916 and Irish scholarships, will be replaced with a new single scheme of bursaries based on merit.

The awards under the new scheme will be fixed at €2,000 per student. The bursary will be an extra support and incentive to recognise high achievement for students who are from disadvantaged families and attending DEIS schools. Those students to whom bursaries are awarded will also be entitled to apply for student grants towards the cost of maintenance and the student contribution or fees.

This change has been made in order to make the best use of scarce resources so as to focus on the best performing students in the cohort of those who are most in need of financial help. Awards will be made on a regional basis and students from all DEIS schools will be considered.

These changes will not impact on those who already hold scholarships under the existing schemes.