Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
184. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that have received or been approved for financial support from the student support scheme for accommodation purposes can use this for expenses related to remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34415/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.
The aim of the student maintenance grant scheme is to make a contribution towards the cost of going to college and to assist students with their living costs while in college. It is at the student’s discretion how the student grant is utilised.
As part of a package of COVID supports for the higher and further education sector approved by Government on 22 July 2020, my Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has allocated €15 million of capital funding for a once-off Covid-19 Grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices. This grant is being made available to further and higher education institutions. The institutions are using the grant funding to purchase devices to support disadvantaged students who are encountering challenges in accessing devices for online and blended learning. The distribution of the devices will be via appropriate lending schemes, and the associated terms and conditions, will be a matter for each individual further or higher education provider.
Students should contact the access office of the institution they attend for further information.
