Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2012
71. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an alternative to the Student Assistance Fund which will cease to exist after 2013 and his plan to make further cuts to the maintenance grant. [51671/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Third Level Access Measure provides support for disadvantaged students through two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The objective of the Student Assistance Fund, is to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. These funds are managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department and are funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund.
No decisions have yet been taken on the amount that will be allocated to Ireland or the programmes to be funded in the next round of EU Structural Funds for the period 2014-2020. Some €13.2m is available in the Third Level Access Measure Fund overall in the 2012/13 academic year. I have no plans at present to discontinue the Student Assistance Fund.
The Deputy will appreciate that as the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget, including Budget 2013, is carried out on a strictly confidential basis, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget announcement.
