Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
333. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department provides funding towards hardship funds administered by third-level colleges and universities to assist students facing financial difficulties; and, if so, if he will provide details of the way that this fund is managed by each institution. [28632/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding on an annual basis to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) to assist students who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education.
The core funding allocation for the SAF is €9.1m. This includes €1 million of ring-fenced core funding allocated in 2017 for the support of part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021. Prior to that the fund supported full-time students only.
As part of the package of COVID19 supports for 2020 and 2021 the level of baseline core funding was doubled by providing an additional €8.1m in each of those two years.
Also in 2021 an additional €1.3m was allocated to the Fund to meet the additional demands identified by the Higher Education Institutions arising from COVID19.
It was recognised that COVID-19 had a major impact on the financial situation of students and their families. Therefore, the SAF was used to support students who found themselves in need of financial support due to COVID-19.
The total SAF allocation in 2020/2021 was €17.2m and in 2021/2022 was €18.5m.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) manage the SAF on behalf of the Department. SAF allocations are dispersed to eligible higher education institutions by the HEA.
The SAF provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards the rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials, Heating/lighting bills, food and medical bills.
Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply for the SAF.
Students who experience financial difficulty should contact the access or student services office in the institution they are attending for further information on how to apply for the SAF.
The HEA provide guidelines each year to institutions for the Student Assistance Fund.
These guidelines include details on
1. Criteria for the fund including details on eligible students, eligible costs, and ineligible costs
2. Best practice guidelines including information on publicising the fund, recommendations for - the application process, training and development of staff administering the fund, decision making and appeals process
3. Financial, data and reporting requirements for Institutions
While institutions are expected to adhere to these guidelines, they manage the fund, application process and funding awards within their own institution.
