Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will increase the payments in the SUSI grant in view of the increases in the cost of living. [30600/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In 2017, my Department will spend circa €450m on access measures for further and higher education students. This includes circa €390m on student grants and related activities, which is expected to benefit approximately 80,000 students.

The Student Grant Scheme is now open for applications for the 2017/18 academic year. This earlier opening date will facilitate earlier decisions for students on their grant applications and therefore provide students with greater certainty about the financial support that will be available to them.

In addition to the 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.