The Deputy is referring to the change in the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of grant which was introduced by the previous Fianna Fáil — Green party Government under Budget 2011.
As that Government had factored in the savings from this and other changes to the student grant scheme to the public expenditure programme for 2011, I regret that I am not in a position to reverse or vary them. However, while a qualifying student may receive a lower rate of grant for the 2011/12 academic year, they will not lose grant assistance. Students on particularly low incomes will also receive a top-up in the special rate of grant.
It may be useful to the student in question to know that students in exceptional financial circumstances can apply for assistance under the Student Assistance Fund. Information on the Fund is available through the access office of the college the student is attending. The access office itself will also continue to provide support and advice to student to enable her to continue with her studies.
The particular college concerned also has a range of other schemes to assist students needing extra financial support. These schemes include rent assistance, class materials, travel/subsistence and emergency assistance. Details of the schemes are available on the college's website or, again, through the access office.