Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Questions (68)

Matt Carthy

Question:

68. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered expanding those approved colleges that receive grants in relation to the student hardship fund to include agricultural colleges on the same basis as those colleges already supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12501/22]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department provides funding by way of the Students Assistance Fund to students attending eligible Higher Education Institutions who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level.  In general, the Fund has a dual focus. It is designed to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have ongoing needs for financial support and also provide emergency financial assistance for other students.  The total allocation for the Fund in the current academic year, including additional Covid support, is € 18.5 million.

Students can be assisted towards costs such as food, rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills, books and class materials and costs associated with childcare, transport and medical.

Applications for the Fund can be made by students registered on higher education courses of not less than one year in duration who attend eligible institutions, including students who attend Agricultural Courses within these eligible institutions.

Universities, Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology are approved institutions for the receipt of funding through the Student Assistance Fund.  A number of other Higher Education colleges that receive recurrent grants type funding from my Department are also approved institutions for the Student Assistance Fund.  Agricultural Colleges operate under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are not funded by my Department. Given limited resources it is not possible to extend funding to additional institutions without impacting on thoese learners who currently depend on the Fund.