Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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660. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a breakdown of the allocations from budget 2024 to the various universities of the student hardship fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22601/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which was previously known as the Student Hardship fund is allocated based on an Academic year.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). 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.

In Budget 2024 there was an increased allocation of €8.1 million announced by the Government. The breakdown of this extra allocation is set out in the table.