Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1175. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16275/21]
View answerThe onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 presented unique challenges across the Higher Education and Further Education Sectors. Early on, a review was conducted by my Department in consultation with the Higher Education Authority and Institutes, Further Education and Training stakeholders to ascertain the impact of the crisis on the sectors.
Following on from this review €216m of Voted expenditure was allocated specifically for Covid supports, along with a further €100m non-voted funds via the National Training Fund.
Covid related spend from Voted expenditure in in 2020 was on the order of €219m, and a further €65m in skills-related expenditure via the National Training Fund. It should be noted that there were also some savings due to the pandemic, as a result of provision being affected or delayed because of restrictions that were used to meet some other Covid-19 related costs during the year.
During 2020, €13m was paid to SOLAS to cover Covid costs arising in the Education and Training Boards and for the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund.
€133m went towards grants to Universities and other third level institutions in order to transition to distanced and remote working, support the Front Line response, and protect research in Irish institutions. This includes the Dublin Dental Hospital, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Royal Irish Academy of Music.
€48m was provided to Student Universal Support Ireland and Higher Education Institutions for the Covid Once off Grant for students. €15m was spent on the provision of laptops to assist students with online and blended learning. €10m was provided to the Higher Education Authority for the Student Assistance Fund and Covid Contingency Fund. €0.9m was spent by the higher education sector in facilitating the safe arrival of international students into Ireland for the 2021/2022 academic year.
Finally, on foot of the July Jobs Stimulus Package, €100m was allocated, and €65m spent through the National Training Fund as a response to upskilling and reskilling needs of those most affected by the pandemic through a varied range of labour market focused programmes operated through SOLAS, Skillnet Ireland and the Higher Education Authority.
