Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the need to provide extra support for students in third-level education in view of the shortage of accommodation, increased rents and costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33705/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The aim of the student grant scheme has always been to make a contribution to the cost of going to college, covering the full cost has never been a feasible option.

I emphatise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played by the student grant scheme in supporting families who are putting their children through further and higher education. However, the state of the public finances is such that tough decisions had to be made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run.

The Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. The access offices themselves also provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.