340 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the source used to measure the distance from a home to a third level institution for the purposes of assessing if a student should be in receipt of the adjacent or non-adjacent rates for maintenance grants; if it is a uniform source across all third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18500/12]

The measurement of the distances for student grant purposes is a matter for grant awarding bodies — the relevant local authority or VEC. There has been no change as to how these distances are measured. As in the past for all cases, the shortest most direct route to the institution attended is measured. I understand that a range of mechanisms can be used, for example, online mapping such as AA Route Planner and Google Maps. If the distance is disputed, the matter should be taken up with the grant awarding body concerned.