Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2012
64. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the future of the fund for students with disabilities and student assistance fund once the current phase expires post 2013; if this scheme will be continued, the way it will be funded; the level of funding available; the way this will be distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43903/12]
View answerThe Third Level Access Measure provides support for disadvantaged students through two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The objective of the Student Assistance Fund, is to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The Fund for Students with Disabilities provides funding to further and higher education institutions for the provision of services and supports for full-time students with disabilities. These funds are managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department and is funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund. No decisions have yet been taken on the amount that will be allocated to Ireland or the programmes to be funded in the next round of EU Structural Funds for the 2014-20 period. The management of the Third Level Access Measures Fund rests with the Higher Education Authority and the allocation of funding for the various access measures is a matter for that authority. Some €13.2 million is available in the Third Level Access Measure Fund overall in the 2012-13 academic year.
