Vol. 496 No. 7
295 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide additional financial support under the alleviation of disadvantage fund of his Department for a person (details supplied) attending Waterford Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24114/98]
My Department provides funding to 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. The 1998 allocations will be issued shortly to the individual colleges. I understand from County Waterford Vocational Education Committee that the student referred to is in receipt of a European Social Fund-aided maintenance grant at the full adjacent rate. I further understand that the student has not made an application for assistance under the hardship fund and I suggest that the student should make an enquiry about the fund to the institute's student welfare officer.
