Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her plans to conduct a review of the third level grant structure to take eligibility into account; and if she is satisfied that the system is fit-for-purpose, as more and more students are availing of third level education. [26565/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The eligibility criteria for student grants is reviewed annually in my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I am very conscious of the fundamental role played by the student grant scheme in supporting families who are putting their children through further and higher education. The purpose of the student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant. The aim of the student grant scheme is to make a contribution to the cost of going to college; covering the full cost has never been a feasible option.

I have no plans at present to depart from the current funding model for third level education.