Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As of 30 June 2022, there were 38,789 displaced Ukrainian persons in Ireland, approximately 10% of which are in the 18-25 year age cohort, the one that is most likely to engage with the higher education sector while here in Ireland.

Last May, I announced the establishment of the National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk, which would be resourced by experts from the higher education system, and funded by my Department. Prior to the establishment of this resource, Ukrainian students were contacting individual higher education institutions (HEIs) creating challenges in obtaining an accurate picture of the demand for places and mitigating against ensuring a consistent approach by each HEI to issues arising.

The National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk is central to determining the demand, as well as ensuring consistency in terms of the response. It is currently gathering data on enquiries made to all HEIs in Ireland, as well as those made directly the Helpdesk itself and will start working with students on their admissions applications in the coming weeks. This will allow my Department to get a better picture of the level of demand for places.

On 21 June, I secured agreement from Government to introduce a series of measures to help these displaced students and researchers. These measures include a new temporary tuition scheme, an extension of eligibility to Springboard, a new bursary fund for those who wish to take SOLAS approved PLC courses and an extension of the Student Assistance Fund. The European Commission have indicated to Member States to be flexible in the use the national Erasmus grant, which can be used to support those displaced persons wishing to continue their full-time education here, and officials of my Department are now working with the HEA, in its role as the National Agency for Erasmus for higher education, to put these supports in place. Finally, existing supports for mental health and well-being provision in the HEIs will be extended to include displaced students.

A Working Group on English Language for Academic Purposes (EAP) was set up under the auspices of the National Steering Group, and proposals to ensure displaced students entering into the Irish higher education sector have the requisite English language skills are being finalised. I expect to have their conclusions by the end of this week.

My officials and I have been working proactively with the sector to facilitate the continued education of these displaced students and researchers. I want acknowledge the contribution all those in the further and higher education sectors who have responded generously in assisting my Department to identify and respond to the needs of displaced students and staff.