Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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545. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing the once-off €250 student payment to students in one-year pre-university access courses and foundation courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5785/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state.  

The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available at this time. The scheme costs were determined in consultation with the HEA, SUSI and the Higher Education Institutions reflecting the student numbers deemed within the scope of the funding allocation. The support is to be provided to full-time EU undergraduate and postgraduate students who would ordinarily be registered as such on the Students Records System (SRS) as at 1 November 2020 in the eligible institutions.

Under this initiative students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up in their grant.

Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding student contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution.

This initiative builds on the additional supports announced in July including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.