Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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832. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if agriculture students attending Teagasc colleges will be eligible for the same financial supports as other third-level students. [41727/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I very much appreciate that students in the agricultural and horticultural colleges have identical needs to those in the wider education sector in terms increased costs and accessing appropriate ICT equipment. I am conscious therefore, of the importance of supporting Teagasc students to ensure that they enjoy the same level of state support as there counterparts.

My Department has been working closely with Teagasc to develop measures for Teagasc learners that are  broadly similar to those recently announced by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for the wider education sector.

The measures include a Laptop Assistance Scheme to assist disadvantaged learners with remote learning. Students who qualify for the Teagasc maintenance grant will receive a top up payment of €250 and those not in receipt of the grant will receive a fee rebate of €100 if they have paid the annual contribution charge of €990 for Teagasc Level 5/6 full-time courses.

It's expected that circa 1,000 learners will benefit from these measures. I am confident that it will greatly assist Teagasc learners to adjust to the impact of COVID 19 in a manner no different to learners in the wider education sector.