Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputies. I recognise the validity of the case and the argument they are making. There is absolute merit it what they are saying. This is an issue I will flag to the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, his Department and the HSE. I am also cognisant of the point relating to the IMO has stated on the record in respect of this matter.

I note the point made by Deputy MacSharry regarding a targeted bursary for student nurses. I will certainly communicate with the Minister in that regard also.

There is an opportunity for the stakeholders and all who have an interest in this issue to raise and pursue it through the upcoming social partnership talks relating to the next round of the national wage agreement. That negotiating process is possibly a forum by means of which matters could be fleshed out further.

I want to flag that when a student in a third level institution makes an application to the student assistance fund, which is there to assist students who are in need, final decisions on awards from the fund are decided by a small group appointed by each higher education institution, the membership of which may include the registrar of the particular college, the access officer, the student welfare officer, the students union representative, the head of student services, the head of lifelong and flexible learning or the finance officer. The student assistance fund is available to help with a range of costs, including those relating to books and class materials, rent and other utilities, food, essential travel, childcare, medical issues and connectivity. That gives the Deputies a flavour of the criteria of the fund, the allocation for which amounts to €16 million. Obviously, many of the criteria meet the demands and needs which were articulated by the two Deputies.

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