Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
318. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the structure that is in place and the support that will be given to students that have paid deposits and full accommodation costs with almost all of their learning being online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/20]
View answer321. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provision being made for the third-level students who had paid accommodation fees before the announcement was made that the colleges would not reopen given many have not been refunded the accommodation fees paid up to Christmas 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42632/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 321 together.
I am conscious of the challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in consultation with these key stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation relating to student accommodation closely.
Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached in regard to a refund.
If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
I have asked our higher education institutions, where they have accommodation, to try to show flexibility in terms of its use for the coming academic year, as well as flexibility with regard to cancellations and refunds. All seven universities have confirmed that students who choose to vacate their university-owned accommodation early will receive pro-rata refunds. The exact details of these refunds vary by institution, and students are encouraged to engage with their university directly on this manner. I would hope that that private providers will show the same flexibility, however it is not within the my remit to issue instruction in relation to the private rental market.
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level e.g. progressing to postgraduate study. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the €168m funding package for the return to education. This package includes a €10m access support package for higher education students. I have approved the allocation of €8.1m of this funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
The scheme will ensure:
- students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant;
- students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.
