452 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has had discussions with the Minister for Education and Skills on the way persons returning to education to third level can obtain back to education allowance and mature students grant. [28297/10]

I am very conscious of the particular difficulties faced by people who pursue third level education after completing Access courses.

While the student maintenance grant scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, the matter has been referred to in the course of discussions between the Tánaiste and myself in relation to the implementation of Budget measures and will be subject to further discussion.