Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the mounting difficulties students have in accessing their grants, if he will continue to fund the student assistance fund beyond 2013. [51835/12]

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. These funds are managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department and are funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund. No decisions have yet been taken on the amount that will be allocated to Ireland or the programmes to be funded in the next round of EU Structural Funds for the period 2014-2020. Some €13.2m is available in the Third Level Access Measure Fund overall in the 2012/13 academic year.

I have no plans at present to discontinue the Student Assistance Fund.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51870/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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An integral part of the overall plan for the reform of the administration of student grants is to move on an incremental basis to an earlier grant application process, with a view to ensuring earlier decisions on grant applications, and more timely payment of grants. Opening the application process early would enable the necessary information to be submitted, so that an application can then be assessed against the published scheme and regulations. This would assist with alleviating financial pressure on students, and consequently relieve pressure on the Student Assistance Fund. While the current priority for Student Universal Ireland (SUSI) is to deal with the current processing backlogs which have arising in the first year of operation of a single agency, my Department will be liaising closely with SUSI with regard to moving towards a situation of applications and earlier decisions and resulting earlier payments, over a transitional period.

My Department endeavours each year to the earliest possible publication of the Student Support Scheme and Regulations.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding student maintenance grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51871/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will appreciate that as the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget including Budget 2013 is carried out on a strictly confidential basis, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget announcement.