I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
It is understood that the Deputy's questions relate to break in studies period of three years of the "re-entry" provision of the Student Grant Scheme 2014, S.I. No. 201 of 2014. The re-entry provision allows a mature student, entering an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, having previously attended an approved course, to have their status reclassified.
The purpose of the student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant. Very significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education.
Confirmation that a student is living separately from their parents/guardians is, of itself, not sufficient.
The duration of the break in studies required for re-classification, such as that as an independent mature student, increased from one year to three years for the 2010/11 academic year. Under previous schemes students could be re-classified as a mature students following a break of only one year. However, this was being used in some cases as a "gap year" by students whose parents' income was too high to qualify for a grant, to return after a year and resume their studies at postgraduate level qualifying for support based on their own, rather than their parents', income. The increase to three years was to focus resources on genuine mature students.
