Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding SUSI’s special rate of maintenance and the cutting of same upon the death of a person within the household in receipt of a qualifying long-term social welfare payment; the steps he will take to ensure that students in such a situation do not suffer a significant reduction in their maintenance payment; if the issue will be addressed in a budgetary context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35089/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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SUSI implements procedures for the timely, sensitive and confidential handling of exceptional circumstances applications. These include allowing students to repeat periods of study in exceptional circumstances such as the death of a parent.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can also 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.