Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the funds for the student assistance fund given the SAF funds in many third-level colleges are exhausted by Christmas. [32404/15]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to extend the student assistance fund to Further Education and Post Leaving Certificate colleges. [32405/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.

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 (HEA) and comprises two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.

The determination of the allocation of this fund between the two sub-priorities is a matter for the HEA and involves balancing the needs of students with disabilities with that of students in more general, financial need.

The HEA has commissioned an independent review of policy, guidelines and practice in relation to the Student Assistance Fund and any changes to the administration of the Fund will be considered when the review is completed.