Written answers
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Department of Education and Skills
Third Level Funding
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the student assistant fund, which currently helps students in hardship situations and is part funded by the European Union, is due to be wound down in 2013; if preparations are being made for a replacement fund to be established which will safeguard student welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43677/12]
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Third Level Access Measure provides support for disadvantaged students through two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
The objective of the Student Assistance Fund, is to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department and is funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund.
The management of the Third Level Access Measures Fund rests with the Higher Education Authority and the allocation of funding for the various access measures, one of which is the Student Assistance Fund, is a matter for that authority. Some €13.2m is available in the Third Level Access Measure Fund overall in the 2012/13 academic year.
The Deputy will be aware that the Student Assistance Fund is complementary to the student grant scheme and, in this regard, students on particularly low incomes continue to receive a top-up in the special rate of student grant and have their fees or student contribution paid on their behalf.
I have no plans at present to discontinue the Student Assistance Fund.
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