Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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741. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional support available for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23796/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period.

The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for higher income thresholds for larger families. In addition to this, further increases in the income thresholds are provided for where additional family members are attending further and higher education at the same time.

In addition to the supports under the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.