Student Assistance Fund

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2015

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Ceisteanna (509, 544)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

509. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that has been allocated to the student assistance fund for the academic year beginning September 2015. [33068/15]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

544. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, the amount of funding allocated to the student assistance fund, or its successor programmes, in each individual year from 2009 to date in 2015; if she will provide details of any needs assessment undertaken for the coming academic year to decide upon the funding required. [33216/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 544 together. The funding allocated from 2008/2009 to 2015/2016 is supplied for the Deputy's convenience. The Student Assistance Fund is managed on behalf of my Department by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). €6.34m has been allocated to the Fund for the 2015/16 academic year. The HEA have commissioned an independent review of policy, guidelines and practice in relation to the Student Assistance Fund and any changes to the administration of the Fund will be considered when the review is completed.

Student Assistance Fund

Academic Year	Allocation
2008/09	€5m
2009/10	€5m
2010/11	€5m
2011/12	€9m
2012/13	€11m (8m + 3m)
2013/14	€8.35m (8m + 350k)
2014/15	€6.6m
2015/16	€6.34m