Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017
131. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the call by an organisation (details supplied) for a restoration of the student assistance fund over the next three years. [30603/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2012 An additional €3 million was approved to supplement the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) following a survey conducted by the HEA in relation to the demand for the Fund.
This supplementary funding was a once-off exceptional measure which was taken in the context of long grant delays/issues encountered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) in its initial year of operation.
An additional allocation of €1.5m was secured in budget 2016 for the Student Assistance Fund. The allocation under the Fund in 2017 is €8.1 million.
