Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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2543. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to extend the SUSI postgraduate maintenance rate to the summer months also as they are still students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19764/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention to publish an Annual Options Paper outlining measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships. The paper will also provide an overview of ongoing work in relation to Student Accommodation.

This paper will set out various options for further enhancement of postgraduate student supports for consideration as part of the budgetary process in the Autumn.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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2544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to extend the SUSI maintenance rate to the summer months for students on placement as they are still students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19765/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

I am aware of the cost of placements and this area is subject to commitments in the programme for Government. The issue of paid placement however is a matter for the relevant Department with responsibility for the related placements. Queries related to placements and financial supports should be addressed to the relevant Department in the first instance.

I can confirm that a student who is in receipt of a maintenance grant will continue to receive payment of their maintenance grant during the academic year while on a placement.

It is also worth noting that the rate of grant (adjacent/non-adjacent rate) may increase as a result of the location of the placement. For example, if a student is receipt if an adjacent rate of grant (home address is less than 30km from their college) and the location of their placement is over 30 from their home address, they may be eligible to receive the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance for the duration of their placement. In order to receive the change of rate, the placement must be a compulsory part of their course and a minimum duration of one semester.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, my Department also funds the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended and on www.studentfinance.ie. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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2545. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to provide students on SUSI who partake in mandatory placement an additional maintenance grant of €250 similarly to the grant for Erasmus students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

I am aware of the cost of placements and this area is subject to commitments in the programme for Government. However, the issue of paid placement is a matter for the relevant Department with responsibility for the related placements. Queries related to placements and financial supports should be addressed to the relevant Department in the first instance.

I can confirm that a student who is in receipt of a maintenance grant will continue to receive payment of their maintenance grant during the academic year while on a placement.

It is also worth noting that the rate of grant (adjacent/non-adjacent rate) may increase as a result of the location of the placement. For example, if a student is receipt if an adjacent rate of grant (home address is less than 30km from their college) and the location of their placement is over 30 from their home address, they may be eligible to receive the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance for the duration of their placement. In order to receive the change of rate, the placement must be a compulsory part of their course and a minimum duration of one semester.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, my Department also funds the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended and on www.studentfinance.ie. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.