Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The student assistance fund will also be available for students from Ukraine to draw down if they have specific needs. In the memo that I am bringing to the Cabinet, probably within the next two weeks, there will be specific funding for additional psychological support services for students from Ukraine. I will reflect on what the Senator has said about whether there is a need to do more. As a country, we have shown that we will not allow money to be a barrier to providing the necessary supports. I am satisfied that, between the fund for students with disabilities, the student assistance fund, the Erasmus+ scheme and the psychological supports, which will entail additional money, we will be able to meet the aim of ensuring that everyone can continue in education regardless of additional needs.

The Senator and I both referenced the English language. There is a difference between providing the English language for someone who wants to continue in academic studies and general English language provision. We have a working group, which will conclude shortly, on what we need to do for the student, who could be at an advanced stage of his or her studies, for example, a masters, and needs the English language in an academic setting. The committee can expect proposals from my Department on this matter shortly. We will share them with the committee.