Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, has announced €4.3 million to assist students with the cost of living.
The once off funding will be provided through the Student Assistance Fund, which assists students with the likes of books, class materials, rent, childcare and transport. The Higher Education Authority will distribute funding of over €4.3 million to the Higher Education Institutes in early 2023.
Speaking today, Mr Harris said: "The Student Assistance Fund is an invaluable resource for third level students who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. The fund is there to assist with additional costs they may face over the coming months. It is completely confidential and accessible through the Access Offices in publicly funded higher education colleges."
Read more: RTE calls for all-household fee to make up for €65 million deficit
The total allocation for the Student Assistance Fund for the 22/23 academic year will be over €20 million – the highest amount that has ever been provided under this fund.
Funding amounts vary for every applicant and are determined by the college following an assessment process.
Mr Harris added that Budget 2023 made “real and meaningful” changes for students. “We reduced the registration fee by €1,000 and increased the maintenance grant," he said. "The renters credit and the extension of free public transport are also tangible changes which will make important changes for students. This is a further extension of that support.”
The Fine Gael Minister also confirmed students receiving the once off Tier 3 - 1916 Path 2 bursary will have their bursary increased by €500 for the 2022/2023 academic year. The 1916 Bursary Fund supports socio-economically disadvantaged students who are from communities significantly underrepresented in the student body.
Target groups also include students who are members of the Traveller and Roma communities, students with a disability, mature students and further education award holders. Based on provisional data, the number of students affected by this change will be approximately 820, so the cost of this increase will be approximately €410,000.
READ NEXT:
Rescuers rush to help after elderly woman injures arm on the Sugar Loaf
- Popular Dublin restaurant to close after pandemic 'deals massive blow'
- Popular Dublin pub served with partial closure order over 'extremely dirty' kitchen
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
