Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
102. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the announcement made in July 2022 regarding the additional 50 bursaries of €5,000 for the most disadvantaged students including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents and further education award holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59396/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the progress which has been made in providing bursaries for the most disadvantaged students.
I launched the fourth National Access Plan- a Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education in August.
This Plan identifies priority groups to support and sets out our vision for how we will improve access to higher education as well as specific goals and targets.
The 1916 Bursary Fund is a critical programme which will underpin delivery of the Plan. This Fund provides financial support to students identified by clusters of higher education institutions as being the most economically disadvantaged from amongst priority groups. The Bursary scheme complements existing student supports and access initiatives.
The 1916 Bursaries differ from existing bursaries in that they are targeted at non-traditional entry and can support undergraduate study on either a full or part-time basis.
In July 2022, I announced that 50 additional '1916 bursaries' of €5,000 per student would be made available for the most socio-economically disadvantaged students as identified in the National Access Plan, including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents, and further education award holders.
This brings the annual total Tier one bursaries to 253.
In addition, I introduced changes to the 2022/2023 '1916 Bursary' scheme to allow those on existing bursaries to continue their bursaries to pursue a graduate entry medicine course.
The closing date for applications has now passed and all successful applicants will be contacted once their application has been assessed by the institutions.
