Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reintroduce student grants for postgraduate students aged 23 years or over, as per discussions which took place between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil during Government formation negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware of the difficult expenditure reduction measures taken in recent budgets as a consequence of the challenging economic circumstances. A decision in Budget 2012, removed maintenance payments for new students entering post graduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards. However, eligible students can still qualify for limited fee support.

Those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible to have their post graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270. Alternatively, a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of his/her fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2016/17 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to "increase financial supports for post graduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households". All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including changes to post graduate student grants, will be considered in the context of the Budget 2017.