Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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479. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the importance of the student assistance fund and if in view of the increasing financial pressure on third level students and their parents and the rising rate of drop outs at third level, her views on funding for this fund in the forthcoming budget for her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37972/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Student Assistance Fund is a component of the Third Level Access Measure which is managed on behalf of my Department by the Higher Education Authority and comprises two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The overall value of the measure for the 2013/14 academic year was €16.2m. The management of the Third Level Access Measure Fund rests with the Higher Education Authority and the allocation of funding for the sub-priorities in a particular year is a matter for the authority.

The Student Assistance Fund is administered on a local basis by participating higher education institutions and targets those students most in need. The Fund provides financial assistance to students to contribute to the costs of participating in higher education and it is an important element of the student support framework in place. Typically, funding is provided for rent, child care, travel and general living expenses.

The HEA approved in July of this year an allocation for the Student Assistance Fund for the 2014/15 academic year of €6.6m. Each participating institution was advised of its individual allocation in advance of the academic year in order to facilitate timely planning and disbursement to students, and each institution has at this stage received 50% of their allocation in line with procedures for the Fund.

As the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including Third Level Access Measures, cannot be ruled out.

For this reason it is the responsibility of Government to take into consideration all areas of public services when formulating Budget 2015. Ultimately, our budgetary decisions now will play a major part in creating a sustainable economy and in regaining our economic independence. As the Deputy will be aware all proposals made in relation to education expenditure including changes to student grants will be considered in the context of the Budget 2015.

The Deputy will be aware that affordability is just one of the factors that impact on students continued participation in higher education.