Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
226. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked 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]
View answerThe 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.
