Vol. 492 No. 5
142 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is a third level student seeking extra financial assistance in her fourth year as a medical student and whose case was outlined to him in March 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14585/98]
I understand from Kilkenny County Council that the student referred to is in receipt of a higher education grant at the full non-adjacent rate. The current value of this grant is £1,624 and will increase to £1,652 for the 1998-99 academic year.
There are no funds at the disposal of my Department out of which additional assistance can be offered to grant holders. My Department provides funding for the third level institutions to operate a hardship fund to assist students in a compassionate and sensitive manner who may otherwise have to leave college due to financial hardship. Inquiries about the fund should be made to the college's student welfare officer.
