Written answers

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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566. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which students in their final year of third level education who paid their fees in full up front can avail of the €250 student support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40283/20]

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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568. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an anomaly in the SUSI scheme will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40461/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 568 together.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.

In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: .

Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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567. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the scope of the July stimulus funding for higher education to include assistance to the students who started courses in this academic year, given the significant financial hardship and disruption to studies that have been experienced by this cohort; if he will examine extending funding to those who started the postgraduate diploma course in youth work in UCC this academic year given the significant loss in ability to secure work placement hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40328/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the July stimulus package an additional funding allocation of €47.5m was provided for Higher Education skills-related programmes. The higher education elements of the July stimulus package were in three broad areas – further support for Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 (€10m), Funding for Postgraduate provision (€22.5m), and the provision of modular courses(€15m).

The Postgraduate Skills element provides an additional 2,555 places on 207 existing part-time and full-time postgraduate taught programmes in 23 public and private higher education institutions.

This funding was allocated as a further response to the impacts of the global pandemic, providing upskilling and reskilling places for those who have been most affected and ensuring that they have the skills most needed by employers today. Many courses focus on future proofing the skills of those in employment, particularly in roles that may be impacted by digitalisation.

The places are available on courses in a wide range of skills areas, including Data Analytics, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Tourism and Hospitality, ICT & Health and welfare including Medical Technology.

It is important to note that the funding and additional places provided under the July Stimulus package is separate and supplementary to the usual intake on postgraduate courses. Applicants who apply and are approved for the additional places on this course will be able to avail of the supports being made available as part of the July Stimulus initiative.

With reference to the postgraduate diploma in youth work in UCC, I understand from information received from the HEA, that registration and induction of students for the additional places (as funded under the July Stimulus) will take place soon with the academic component commencing on 14th December 2020. Applicants who apply and are approved for the additional places on this course will be able to avail of the supports being made available as part of the July Stimulus initiative. Unfortunately funding will not be extended to those who availed of this course prior to 14th December 2020.

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