Frances Fitzgerald
Question:395 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, which have been taken to combat student poverty.
Written Answers. - Student Poverty.
I have already announced improvements in student support arrangements for 1994 which will provide for an increase in the income eligibility limits in line with the increase in the average industrial wage and an increase in maintenance grants in line with inflation.
I have also announced the allocation for the first time of a discretionary budget which will be used to set up a hardship fund with third level institutions. It is intended to administer this fund for the benefit of individual students where assistance on a flexible basis is required because of exceptional circumstances and where assistance under the general student support schemes is not available or is inadequate.