Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding the student assistance fund to allow international students to avail of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28044/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It would not be appropriate to estimate the costs involved given the hypothetical nature of the question.

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending higher education. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare, transport and costs associated with the provision of books/class materials.

Students who are non-EU, including UK nationals, but who are eligible for free or reduced fees in line with the criteria for the Free Fees Initiative, may be considered for the Student Assistance Fund subject to meeting other relevant criteria.

International/non-EU fee paying students who pay the full international rate of fee are not eligible for funding under the Student Assistance Fund. Higher Education Institutions are advised to ring-fence funding from non-EU fee income to provide for any emergency financial requirements arising for students in need and the creation of a separate dedicated fund is not under consideration by my Department.

All International Students must also show their capacity to support themselves while in Ireland and those students are required to have private medical insurance at the time of registration in a higher education institution.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.