Vol. 474 No. 2
71 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education if she intends to review the adjacent/non-adjacent grant rate qualifying criteria in order to assist those just within the 15 mile limit who are less well off; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2661/97]
Under the student support schemes, maintenance grants are payable at either adjacent or non-adjacent rates. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grant-holder's normal residence is 15 miles or less from the college which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
Prior to 1995, students who were residing more than 15 miles from college and who could reasonably be expected to travel to college from home each day having regard to the journey and available public transport, were only entitled to the adjacent rate of maintenance grant. I amended the schemes to provide that the non-adjacent rate would be payable in all circumstances where the student resides more than 15 miles from college.
The existing arrangements are reasonable and I have no plans to review the qualifying criteria for adjacent/non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant.
