Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 5 November 2020, the reason a student (details supplied) has been granted financial support from the student support scheme that specifies that it must be used for accommodation purposes; if she will assure students that this funding can be used for other purposes given the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35658/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The response provided to the Deputy for Parliamentary Question 184 of 5 November 2020 was provided in relation to the Student Grant Scheme where it is at the student’s discretion how the student grant is utilised. However from the details supplied to the current question the query relates to the Student Assistance Fund rather than 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 full-time and part-time students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education. Eligible costs include books and other class material that are required to enable students to continue and participate in teaching and learning, rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills such as mobile phone data plans, food, essential travel, childcare costs, medical costs and family difficulties. Funding is not available to assist students with the costs of tuition fees, registration fees, student loans or any costs that are borne by the HEI.

Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the higher education institution (HEI) attended. The fund is managed at local HEI level but is informed by guidelines issued annually by the HEA. Para 3.8 of the guidelines does state “When receiving awards, students should sign a form of undertaking that (a) they have received the amount stated and (b) that it will be used for the purpose intended”. Institutions do have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to support students during the Covid 19 pandemic.