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Student Assistance Fund

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (281)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

281. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that students attending third level institutions to complete fulltime level 6 access courses cannot receive funding from the student assistance fund as it is not a level 8 course, or other child care assistance funds; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that VTOS provides extra funding for level 5 students; his plans to ensure that students are supported fully. [12849/14]

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Written answers

The objective of the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is to provide financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. This includes students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support, as well as students with other circumstances giving rise to short or longer-term financial difficulties, including family responsibilities, bereavement, family difficulties, accidents or health problems. The Fund is intended to support students whose participation in higher education would otherwise be at risk as a direct result of such difficulties.

Application to the fund is open to full-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. The Fund is not open to students on access courses. In all cases, institutions are responsible for targeting the available resources at those students most in need. The Fund is managed at local level by the Access/Student Services Office in higher education institutions. It is not intended to extend the scope of the SAF at this stage.

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