Written answers

Tuesday, 15 December 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Marc Ó CathasaighMarc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding and other supports that have been given to universities and colleges to support their students to engage with their studies online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43304/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since the onset of Covid-19 in March, my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice.

As announced in July, the Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million.

The specific student supports include a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education.

For the Education providers under the remit of my Department, the allocation includes funding towards Support to Front line response; Immediate ICT costs relating to online provision; Health and Safety Costs; Research costs, funds towards assisting the enrolment of International Students and ring-fenced funding to assist with provision of mental health services to students.

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.

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