Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a higher education grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [37657/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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An appeal has been received by my Department from the candidate to which the Deputy refers. The appeal is currently under consideration and a response will issue to the candidate in due course.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will advise on the students assistance fund and the disbursement of same; the qualifying parameters of this scheme; and her views as to the possibility of this scheme being widened to accommodate those who at the present time particularly are experiencing grave difficulties in accessing third level education. [37684/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Student Assistance Fund at some €5m continues to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students experiencing exceptional financial need in the course of their studies.

Full-time registered students participating on third level courses of not less than one-year duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification are eligible to apply for assistance under the Fund. This is in addition to any maintenance grant they might receive.

A revised model of allocation was introduced for the 2010/11 academic year. The revised model includes for the provision of funding on the basis of the number of new entrants from target socioeconomic groups in each participating institution. 25% of the 2010/11 Fund will be allocated on this basis increasing to 50% in 2011/12. The remaining portion will be allocated on the number of full-time enrolments in each higher education institution. The model compliments the dual function of the fund, which is to provide 'once-off' emergency financial assistance and also to provide assistance to students in need of ongoing financial support. In allocating funds, institutions are advised to prioritise those students deemed most in need of financial assistance.

Information on the fund is available from the access officer at a candidate's institution. Information is also available on www.studentfinance.ie.