Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
643. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for a reduction and-or rebate in fees for postgraduate students during the 2020-21 academic year due to Covid-19; the supports in place for postgraduate students undertaking remote learning during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44676/20]
View answerThe determination as to the level of postgraduate fees to be charged is a matter for each institution in accordance with its own particular operational conditions and circumstances in ensuring quality education provision. The cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic indeed institutions have had a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes despite the unique circumstances of the pandemic.
I am very conscious of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government 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 offers €250 in financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions.
This builds on the previously enhanced student supports provided in response to COVID-19, including the doubling of the Student Assistance Fund and the provision of €15m in funding for laptops and devices. In addition to the once off €250 funding for full time postgraduate students, the main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Postgraduate students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for a maintenance grant of up to €5,915. Qualifying postgraduate students may also be eligible to have their tuition fees paid up to a maximum fee limit of €6,270. Alternatively, a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of his/her fees.
In line with the strategic direction set out for the Review of SUSI, Budget 2021 announced the following enhanced supports for postgraduate grants - increase the fee grant to €3,500 from €2,000 from September 2021. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and would give greater certainty for students in terms of supports.
There are initiatives across a number of Government Departments to facilitate broadband connection through community-based broadband hubs and liaison with telecommunication providers on packages, including unlimited data. It is also worth noting that, HEAnet provides a WiFi solution - Eduroam - designed by and for the higher education community which operates across the education locations nationally. Eduroam allows a student to access WiFi wherever Eduroam is broadcast, enabling a student to seamlessly roam from one Eduroam location to another. On 5th January I announced the roll out of Wi-Fi roaming to further and higher education students in over 90 new locations across the country in 2021. This initiative will aim to create extended virtual campuses and offer students multiple options to go online.
