Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
174. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the situation many students face due to the lack of income and employment available to them over the summer months which may otherwise have been available; if he is considering income supports for such students; and if he has had discussions with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection in connection with the issue. [10186/20]
View answerI am conscious of the difficulties being experienced by students and their families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The key supports available to students are Student Grant Scheme and related supports, such as the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. These supports have a fundamental role to play in assisting students in further and higher education.
The 2020/21 SUSI grant scheme opened for applications in April and the priority closing date is 9 July. Further information in relation to student grant assistance is available from SUSI’s website (www.susi.ie). The telephone number for SUSI’s Helpdesk is 0761 087 874.
Higher education institutions have been given the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable them to support students during the COVID-19 situation.
My officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. They have advised me that full-time students who had part-time employment when the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March, can avail of this support payment. The Deputy will be aware that this payment has supported over 600,000 people who lost their income due to Covid-19. My colleague Minister Regina Doherty has recently extended the availability of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) from 9 June until 10 August. I welcome this decision which further supports workers who have lost their income due to the pandemic.
