Seán Sherlock
Question:1307. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students in further education institutions will be afforded the Covid €250 grant. [19196/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
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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 delivers financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions.
The scheme will ensure students who avail of the SUSI grant, including in Post Leaving Certificate (PLC), receive €250 top-up in their grant. Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution.
The latter option is designed to ensure students who pay the standard €3,000 in registration fees but are not in receipt of SUSI will benefit from the measure. The only centrally determined payment for the PLC programme is the €200 PLC participant contribution. This amount is not payable for persons with a medical card, as well as a number of other categories.
There are supports available to PLC students including through the Back to Education Allowance through the Department of Social Protection and the Fund for Student Disabilities. PLC students also benefited from additional Covid supports announced in July through the €15 million technology fund for devices.
Learners who do not avail of a SUSI grant while attending a PLC course are not eligible for this funding. Such learners should contact their local ETB for enquiries about financial supports that may be available to them.