Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being imposed on students that apply for a higher education grant through SUSI, whereby they are only granted an adjacent rate of grant due to the fact that the distance calculations used use road routes which are the shortest in distance but the most inaccessible (details supplied); and if he will review the distance calculations method in view of upgraded road networks. [8585/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The current qualifying distance of 45km for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.

The measurement of the distances relating to the award of adjacent or non-adjacent rates of student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2016. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines. The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply.

I understand that the student to which the Deputy refers, appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the statutory independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The appeal was considered by the Appeals Board on the 10th January 2017 and a decision issued directly to the student.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to restoring maintenance grants for postgraduate students; the cost for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8588/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase financial supports for post graduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households.

In response to this commitment, I secured additional funding of €4 million in Budget 2017 to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants, from September 2017, for the most disadvantaged post graduate students.

This will benefit approximately 1,100 of the most disadvantaged post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant.