Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Student Assistance Fund is a critical support which is allocated by my Department to higher education institutions. The fund has a dual focus. It is designed to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support. It also to provide emergency financial assistance for other students. Students can apply for supports from this fund through their Access Office.

The core funding for the Student Assistance Fund pre-Covid was €9.1 million per annum. This includes €1 million which was added to the fund in 2017 for part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups under the National Access Plan. Prior to that the fund supported full-time students only.

From the start of the pandemic, I have listened to the perspectives of students and their families who have told me of the significant impact which the pandemic has had on the financial situation of many learners.

That is why, as part of my Department’s response to the issues affecting students arising from the pandemic, I have allocated significantly higher amounts to the Fund over the past two academic years. In total, €18.2 million was allocated for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Last week, I announced the allocation of an additional €1.3 million for this year as once off further funding , which brings the allocation for the 2021/22 academic year to €18.5 million. In addition €1.9 million has also been allocated in Covid-19 funding to a contingency fund for access services.

This increased funding allocation has assisted more students who have found themselves in the situation of being unable to meet the costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education. It has helped students in paying bills, buying food, books and other classroom materials and has assisted students with the costs of childcare as they return to campus. It has supported people remaining in higher education who otherwise would have been under too much financial pressure to do so.