Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
366. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be considered for fees which were incurred as part of the approved course they attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/13]
View answerAs part of the Government's budgetary considerations and the Comprehensive Expenditure Review carried out in 2011, a decision was made to abolish payments by this Department towards the cost of attendance at Gaeltacht courses by students commencing their programme of primary initial teacher education. The decision came into effect for the 2012-13 academic year. As the Deputy will be aware, priority is being given to protecting resources for front line services in the coming years. However, to assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, primary initial education students who are in receipt of a student grant which includes a 100% fee grant, or who would have qualified for a full fee grant but for the Free Fees Schemes, can apply for funding towards travel and accommodation costs under the field trip element of a fee grant, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the student grant scheme. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
