Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has investigated the reason counties with the lowest disposable income have seen a significant drop-off in the number of students availing of a higher education grant; if it is the case that the grant is no longer sufficient to meet the costs for students who cannot commute to college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15324/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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There are a variety of factors which impact on the number of student grant awards in any academic year which include but are not limited to, the number of applications, numbers transitioning from second level to third level, financial circumstances of individuals & their parents and increases in third level participation generally.

With the establishment of SUSI as a single awarding authority greater consistency in terms of interpretation of a new single student grant scheme was introduced. Prior to the establishment of SUSI, the responsibility of processing and paying student grants, under four separate schemes, rested with 66 separate awarding authorities.

The aim of the student maintenance grant scheme has always been to make a contribution to the cost of going to college; covering the full cost has never been a feasible option.