Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 557: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if assistance will be provided to students attending third level courses. [35585/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education and Science funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes in respect of students attending approved courses in approved third level institutions. I refer to the higher education grants scheme, the VECs scholarship scheme and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees. The Department also funds a maintenance grant scheme in respect of students attending approved post-leaving certificate courses in approved PLC centres. I refer to the maintenance grant scheme for students attending such courses. Apart from the funding provided through the student support maintenance grant schemes, financial assistance is also available from the Department through the student assistance fund which is administered by the National Office for Equity of Access to Third Level Education. The objective of the fund, which is aided by the ESF, is to assist in a sensitive and compassionate manner students who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Further information on the fund is available from the relevant college.

The millennium partnership fund for disadvantage, which was announced in September 2000, will operate for the lifespan of the national development plan. Area Development Management Limited manages the fund on behalf of the Department. The objective of the fund is to support students from disadvantaged areas with retention and participation in further and higher education courses. Area partnership companies and community groups manage the fund locally. I would like to mention some of the eligible actions under the fund, which are dependent on the individual partnership or community group. Such actions include the promotion of the millennium initiative in its own right; the provision of financial supports to meet students' participation costs; the provision of information for the purposes of guidance and mentoring, for example; and study supports including tuition and study skills. Students may contact their local area partnership company or community group for assistance.