Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
110. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the Covid-19 related supports available to third-level and further education colleges for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43220/20]
View answerSince the onset of Covid-19 in March, my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice. As announced in July, the Government has provided additional and re-prioritised funding in the amount of €168m to enable providers to facilitate the safe return of students to further and higher education in 2020, in the context of public health advice. This funding includes provision for PPE and equipment, online learning costs, student supports and research costs and is specific to 2020.
Through Budget 2021, as detailed in the 2021 Expenditure Report, funding will be provided to meet demographic and other pressures across the sectors, including Covid-19 impacts, and to provide for additional upskilling and reskilling opportunities, as well as increased capacity and places in the higher education sector. The funding in this Vote as noted in the Expenditure Report includes the National Training Fund.
In this regard €167million is allocated towards Covid-19 related policy responses. Funding in respect of core budgetary programmes, demographics and the central pay agreement provision are provided for separately.
The 2021 report notes that from an expenditure perspective there are two distinct policy goals that will need to be addressed in budgetary decisions over the medium term: providing for the core budgetary programmes; and funding Covid-19 related policy responses.
While full details on the allocation of resources across spending areas will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) I have highlighted below key measures to me met from the increased 2021 allocations referenced by the Deputy:
- Continuation of July Stimulus and 2021 Skills Package to reskill and upskill people affected by the pandemic;
- Research investment to support researchers, build capacity, support Covid research, and strengthen north-south research links;
- Funding will be provided to sustain additional places in higher education following exceptional increased demand arising from the Calculated Grade model on this years Leaving Certificate;
- Ensure students impacted by Covid have access to necessary supports through SUSI to facilitate active participation in education;
- Increased SUSI grant supports for post-graduate students;
- Additional support for the PATH access initiative to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will engage with the HEA and the sector, to inform discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the allocation of funding in 2021 to ensure that the sector can continue to operate safely in the Covid-19 environment.
