Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020
37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional funding provided to third-level sector in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of additional places made available by the third-level institutions for the 2020/2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22382/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 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.
The resumption of the academic year is our most pressing challenge and ensuring our students and staff are safe is my number one priority.
Higher Education Institutions have been undertaking detailed planning and contingencies for re-opening and communicating these to students and learners, moving towards a mode of blended learning, combining both online and onsite provision.
I have secured Government support for a substantial funding package of €168m for publically funded further and higher education providers and additional supports for students in the context of Covid-19. This package of funding was developed following detailed engagement with the sector.
Last week the Government approved an increase of 1,250 in the overall number of CAO places offered on certain high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions for the academic year 2020/21. The extra places are focused on high-demand programmes that traditionally attract students across a range of CAO points levels, and this will a have a cascade effect, creating greater capacity in lower demand courses.
This is in addition to funding provided in order to address the demographic challenge in particular skills priority areas in higher education in Budget 2020, where an additional 4,000 places funded through exchequer funding and Human Capital Initiative places.
Furthermore this pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on younger workers and those in lower paid occupations with lower level of educational qualifications. In the July Stimulus Package funding for the tertiary education and training system to help support upskilling and reskilling amounts to €100m and will fund over 35,000 places in the current year. This comprises of €47.5m in additional higher education funding enabling an increase of 7,150 places and a provision of €52.5m for an additional 28,550 places in the Further Education and Training sector this year.
