Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
56. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the benefits that will accrue to students this autumn as a result of changes to the adjacent and non-adjacent grant system rules; the breakdown of the number of students impacted by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36719/22]
View answerThe student maintenance grant is payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. In Budget 2022, I reduced the distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students building on the improvements that have already been made and have been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment. At this time, it is not possible to determine the breakdown of students per county as the application process is still open.
The attached table shows the improvements I have made in the rates of maintenance grant from September 2022.
|
Band name |
2021/22 rate |
Budget 2022 increase |
2022/23 new rate |
|
Special rate – non adjacent |
€5,915 |
€200 |
€6,115 |
|
Standard rate full maintenance non-adjacent Band 1 |
€3,025 |
€200 |
€3,225 |
|
Standard rate part maintenance non-adjacent Band 2 |
€2,270 |
€200 |
€2,470 |
|
Standard rate part maintenance non-adjacent Band 3 |
€1,515 |
€200 |
€1,715 |
|
Standard rate part maintenance non-adjacent Band 4 |
€755 |
€200 |
€955 |
|
Special rate - adjacent |
€2,375 |
€200 |
€2,575 |
|
Standard rate full maintenance adjacent Band 1 |
€1,215 |
€200 |
€1,415 |
|
Standard rate part maintenance adjacent Band 2 |
€910 |
€200 |
€1,110 |
|
Standard rate part maintenance adjacent Band 3 |
€605 |
€200 |
€805 |
|
Standard rate part maintenance adjacent Band 4 |
€305 |
€200 |
€505 |
