Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure continued access to third-level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59065/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There are a range of supports and measures in place for students who wish to access and participate in third level education.

For students who wish to access higher education, the main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Around 75,000 students are supported annually under the fund. We are currently reviewing the grant scheme with a view to improving the scheme.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in higher education 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.

There are specific supports for Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) too. Circa 14,000 students are supported annually under the fund. This fund is also available to students in Further Education and Training.

As the Deputy is aware, we have abolished the fee for Post-Leaving Courses meaning they will be free to access from September 2022.

Later this month, I will be announcing the details of the Mitigating Against Education Disadvantage Fund which is an €8 million fund to assist learners in further education access essential supports.

Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department. My ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs.