Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Mar 1994

Vol. 439 No. 7

Written Answers. - Maintenance Grants.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

100 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education the reason the same level of grant assistance for matters such as rent for their own accommodation is not given to all mature students living independently, regardless of the location of their parent's home; and if, in the interests of equity, she will review this matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

There are four common rates of maintenance grant payable to all categories of Higher Education Grant holders, whether dependent mature, independent mature or otherwise viz. (i) Full maintenance at the non adjacent rate; (ii) Full maintenance at the adjacent rate; (iii) Part maintenance at the non adjacent rate; (iv) Part maintenance at the adjacent rate.

There is no distinction between the rates of maintenance grant payable to mature students and other students who are holders of Higher Education Grants.

Whether a grant holder is eligible for full maintenance or part maintenance is determined by the means assessment operated in accordance with the Higher Education Grants Scheme. Under the terms of the scheme the adjacent rate of maintenance is payable in the case of every grant-holder whose normal family residence is less than 15 miles from the college attended. It is also payable in the case of any grant-holder whose normal family residence is 15 miles or more from the college attended who could reasonably be expected, in the light of distance and the convenience of local public transport services, to travel daily.

The non adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.

I have no plans at present to review the criteria relating to the adjacent and non adjacent rate of maintenance grant.