Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will restore the funding for the Student Assistance Fund to €10 million in view of the hardship that many students are experiencing; and if he will commit to not cutting this fund any further. [52189/12]

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will agree to continue funding the student assistance fund beyond 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52335/12]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of funding provided to the student assistant fund; his plans to continue this important source of financial support for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52797/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 280 and 308 together.

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 (HEA) on behalf of my Department and is funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund.

The budget for the Student Assistance Fund has been increased from €5m in 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 to €9m in 2011/12 and stands at €8m for the current academic year.

My Department has asked the HEA for an up to date report on the demand for the scheme. I have no plans at present to discontinue the Fund. Examinations are taking place across all areas of Government spending which will inform funding allocations for the coming years. In this context, I am sure the Deputies will appreciate that in line with normal practice I am unable to comment on the available funding allocation for next year during the budgetary deliberative process.