Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
56. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the determining factor that results in students of only some third-level educational institutes having access to the student hardship fund. [49540/21]
View answerThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards costs such as food, rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills, books/class materials and costs associated with childcare, transport and medical. In general, the SAF has a dual focus and is designed to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support and provide emergency financial assistance for other students.
Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, technological universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges who receive recurrent grants type funding from the exchequer from the Department of Education, my Department or the HEA.
The following revised reply was received on 2 November 2021.
It has come my attention that there was an error in the response provided, in particular around wording relating to a recurrent grant funding. For clarity, the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is paid to Universities, Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology. A number of other Higher Education colleges that receive recurrent grants type funding from the exchequer are also approved institutions for the Student Assistance Fund. This correction is also contained in Question No. 677 of 2 November 2021.
A list of the institutions covered by Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is as follows:-
Dublin City University
University College Cork
University College Dublin
National University of Ireland, Galway (including Shannon College)
Maynooth University
Trinity College Dublin
University of Limerick
Technological University Dublin
Technological University of the Shannon
Institute of Technology Carlow
Munster Technological University
Dundalk Institute of Technology
Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Institute of Technology Sligo
Waterford Institute of Technology
Marino Institute of Education
National College of Art & Design
National College of Ireland
Mary Immaculate College
St Angela's College
St. Patrick’s College Pontifical University of Maynooth
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences
