Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
273. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will restore the funding for the Student Assistance Fund to €10 million in view of the hardship that many students are experiencing; and if he will commit to not cutting this fund any further. [52189/12]
View answer280. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will agree to continue funding the student assistance fund beyond 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52335/12]
View answer308. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of funding provided to the student assistant fund; his plans to continue this important source of financial support for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52797/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 280 and 308 together.
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 is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of my Department and is funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund.
The budget for the Student Assistance Fund has been increased from €5m in 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 to €9m in 2011/12 and stands at €8m for the current academic year.
My Department has asked the HEA for an up to date report on the demand for the scheme. I have no plans at present to discontinue the Fund. Examinations are taking place across all areas of Government spending which will inform funding allocations for the coming years. In this context, I am sure the Deputies will appreciate that in line with normal practice I am unable to comment on the available funding allocation for next year during the budgetary deliberative process.
