Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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685. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has prepared costings in respect of any proposals to provide student loans for postgraduate students. [30322/15]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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686. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has prepared any costings in respect of any proposals to provide student loans for undergraduate students who are ineligible for a student support grant. [30323/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 686 together.

As the Deputy is aware, an Expert Group, chaired by Peter Cassells has been established to examine future funding options for higher education. The objective is to identify a range of approaches that, combined, will achieve a sustainable funding base to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting the quality of education. Student support initiatives are being considered as part of this work. The Group is due to report at the end of this year and its report will help inform decisions on future funding for the sector.