Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the cut in the grant in respect of students (details supplied) who must spend a period of time in a Gaeltacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38897/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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281. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39273/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 281 together.

The decision to abolish the Gaeltacht Placement grants, from September 2012, has to be viewed in the context of the prevailing requirement to reduce costs and achieve efficiencies where possible. Priority was given to protecting resources for front line education services as far as possible in the coming years, which is especially challenging with rising numbers of school-going children.

The decision to abolish the grants was not taken lightly, and it has to be viewed in the context of the prevailing requirement to reduce costs and achieve efficiencies where possible. The changes to the gaeltacht placement grant were publicised in advance of implementation so that students would be aware of the new arrangements before embarking on Initial Teacher Education programmes.

To assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, 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 scheme. Apart from the student grant system, in circumstances of particular need students may apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. Information in relation to this fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended.

I can appreciate that supporting a student through third level education can be challenging. However, I am not in a position to reinstate funding to this area.