Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the future of third level fees here; and if there will be any further support schemes, such as the student assistance fund, introduced for students attending third level institutions who are experiencing financial difficulty. [8913/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under my Department's Free Fee Schemes the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students. Support is also available to eligible students under the Student Grant Scheme which may include maintenance, fees and student contribution. Funding is also provided to institutions for the Student Assistance Fund which assists students, who might otherwise, due to financial circumstances, be unable to continue their studies.

The Higher Education Authority, at my request, is undertaking a study on the future financing of the sector. An initial report was published which makes it clear that immediate work is required to prepare for a longer term approach towards a system that can be maintained through a sustainable funding base which will be able to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting quality of education. This study is continuing and I will continue to be appraised as it progresses.