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Student Support Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Questions (551)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

551. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the criteria used in accessing the laptop grant scheme; and the reason certain colleges are not included in the scheme although some of their students are receiving grants from SUSI and BTEA. [23703/20]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

This initiative addresses concerns regarding the digital divide in the context of the shift to online and blended models of learning as a result of COVID-19 and the importance of supporting disadvantaged students to adapt to these new models.

Devices procured using the grant will be distributed by Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards to disadvantaged students via appropriate lending schemes. Over 16,700 laptops have already been procured as part of a bulk order organised by HEAnet, while additional devices are being procured by some providers directly.

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) therefore any college that does not receive funding under the SAF did not come under the terms of the ICT grant.

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