Vol. 473 No. 5
9 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to introduce a tapered system of third level grants for people who live just inside the 15 mile zone to enable them to qualify for the non-adjacent grant rate. [1096/97]
Maintenance grants under the student support schemes 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.
I believe that the existing arrangements are reasonable and I have no plans to introduce tapered non-adjacent rates for those who live just inside the 15 mile zone.
