Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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368. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will direct third level institutions to enable all students to apply for the laptop scheme through a separate means-testing system. [30358/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The once-off Covid-19 Grant to support disadvantaged students in the higher education sector in accessing ICT devices has issued to the higher education institutions.

This grant funding is being used to procure devices which will then be lent to students in accordance with application and assessment processes managed locally by each institution.

The equipment funding is complemented by a €10m access funding package which is being used to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) and other access support services in the higher education sector. The SAF is not means tested. As such, it is open to any student experiencing exceptional financial need to apply for support from the SAF and have their application assessed by their institution.