Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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400. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the lack of grant support for living costs for postgraduate students prevents some persons from undertaking postgraduate studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38427/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy would be aware that affordability is just one of the factors that impact on students continued participation in higher education. There are a range of wider factors that also impact on participation, including social and cultural issues, prior academic attainment and teacher and parental expectations.

In access terms, the requirement to pay a fee is considered to be a greater obstacle to entry than lack of maintenance support at postgraduate level. This is why I opted to maintain the fee-payment ahead of maintenance payments for postgraduate students.

Students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant will be eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270.

A postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2013/14 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.

In addition the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.