Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
418. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the potential costs and considerations of setting up a student assistance fund specifically for the benefit of postgraduate students in view of the fact that they do not have access to the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25353/18]
View answerThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. The Fund is allocated annually to the universities, the institutes of technology, the colleges of education and a number of other higher education institutions.
The SAF is designed to support students in third-level institutions who are experiencing exceptional financial need. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.
The SAF is available to anyone in higher education undertaking a full-time course of not less than one year who will be awarded an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification on completion of the course.
The fund was recently extended to part-time students following the allocation of an additional €1m in Budget 2017. The current SAF allocation for the 2017/18 academic year is €9.1 million.
