Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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378. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the third level educational opportunities available in Ireland for applicants living in the Palestinian Territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43669/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Supports for students living in Palestine are delivered through a number of Irish Universities as part of the Scholars at Risk Programme and University Sanctuary Programmes, in addition to specific institutional responses. This includes specific scholarships schemes and other well-being supports.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is also providing support to students from Palestine through the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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379. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide clarification on a college grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43692/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

As per Article 17(4)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2024, a student or tuition student is ineligible for grant funding for a course at Level 7 if they already hold an undergraduate higher education and training award at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent. This is irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, .

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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380. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the current situation where third level students on clinical placement in fields such as general nursing, mental health nursing, early childhood education, medicine and social care receive no payment during this period, despite having to pay in many instances for additional accommodation; if he will consider this situation in light of the contrary approach taken to those students completing apprenticeships who are paid on work placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43713/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Placements for health and social care programmes are arranged at the level of each individual Higher Education Institution as part of their programme offering, to be delivered in conjunction with relevant clinical placement providers. Early Years Education programme placements are provided by early years education settings.

Placement hours are a requirement of the regulator to meet the standards of professional capability necessary to practice in a regulated profession. In the case of health and social care professions the principal regulator is CORU, under the aegis of the Department of Health, which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.

Regarding any payments while on placement, this is a matter for the relevant employer, which would be, in the public sector the HSE, and in other cases, private providers.