Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
534. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college (details supplied) is on the list of colleges eligible for funding for the Government assistance fund for students to assist them with laptops and other forms of technology; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23286/20]
View answerAs part of a package of COVID-19 supports for the higher and further education sectors, my Department has allocated €15 million to higher and further education providers for a once-off COVID-19 Grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices.
The higher and further education providers will determine which individual students should be prioritised to receive a device on a needs basis and within the terms and conditions of the grant. Students who wish to apply for a device should contact the relevant higher education institution or ETB for further information.
In the higher education sector, grants are made available to those institutions that receive support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). As Carlow College does not receive funding under the SAF it did not come under the terms of the ICT grant.
