Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2011
182 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address questions (details supplied) relating to the accelerated technician programme at institutes of technology arising from the changes in the third level grant system in budget 2011. [15886/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll students commencing a course in June of this year will be subject to the terms and conditions of the student grants schemes in place at that time.
The previous Fianna Fáil-Green party Government introduced three changes to the student grant schemes, which began to take effect of January of this year when the overall rate of grant was reduced by 4%. Therefore, all qualifying students either on a course or commencing a course from January of 2011 will receive the reduced rate of grant.
The automatic entitlement of mature students to the non-adjacent rate of grant was removed effective from September 2011. This applies to all mature students either commencing a course in September 2011 or continuing on a course at that time.
Finally, the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of grant was increased for 24kms to 45kms. Again, this takes affect from September 2011 and it will it apply to all new students and to those continuing on courses equally.
I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse any of these changes.
183 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any additional allowance can be paid to a mature student to attend college while on the back to education allowance in view of the fact that some persons do not live near third level colleges and they have to rent accommodation which is an extra financial burden and is not sufficient to be paid to incur costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15889/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom September 2010, the previous Fianna Fáil — Green Party Government removed eligibility for all new applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, for student maintenance grants. However, the cost of the student services charge and tuition fees payable to colleges continues to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on their behalf.
I understand that the reason it was decided to discontinue the practice of allowing students to hold both an allowance and a grant simultaneously was because this represented a duplication of income support payments. I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse this change.
The Deputy may be aware that students including mature students in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant prior to 2010 continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they meet the terms and conditions of the relevant grant schemes.
It might be of assistance to the student in question to know that the Student Assistance Fund at some €5m continues to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students, including mature students, in exceptional financial need. The access offices themselves will also provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.
