Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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515. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the concerns of student veterinary nurses regarding their placement conditions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23294/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Clinical placements for students are arranged directly between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the relevant placement providers. In some sectors for example, nursing and midwifery placements are arranged with the Health Service Executive (HSE). My Department does not have a direct role in the organisation, funding, or remuneration of clinical placements.

Any decision to provide payment for work undertaken while on placement is a matter for the placement provider in each sector. Remuneration arrangements for student nurses during HSE placements fall outside my Department’s remit, and similarly, my Department has no role in determining payment for students undertaking veterinary nursing placements.

However, I am conscious of the need for financial supports for students on mandatory placements. Students on placements can sometimes incur additional costs, such as transport, and as they are often on placement full-time, lack the ability to work part-time to support themselves. The Programme for Government 2025 commits to examining the introduction of a placement grant for students on mandatory placements, and my officials are currently exploring ways in which this support can be provided to such students.

In addition there are currently a range of financial supports is available to students, including the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI and the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF provides additional support, on a confidential and discretionary basis, to students who might otherwise be at risk of not continuing their studies due to financial hardship. Further information is available from the Access Office in each institution and on www.studentfinance.ie.