Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare following the removal of a subsidy for Gaeltacht placement as part of the Bachelors of Education degree at St Patrick's College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1745/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The main source of financial assistance available from the Irish State for students in full-time higher education undergraduate courses is the student grant. To assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, primary initial teacher education students who are in receipt of a student grant which includes a 100% fee grant, or who would have qualified for a full fee grant but for the Free Fees Schemes, can apply for funding towards travel and accommodation costs under the field trip element of a fee grant, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the student grant scheme.

Apart from the student grant system, in circumstances of particular need students may apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund which assists students in third-level institutions in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.