Harris announces €168m boost for third-level sector

FEES could be reduced for third-level students, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said.

He made the comments as he unveiled a €168million funding boost for the sector.

Up to 10,000 third-level students are to get financial support to buy laptops, tablets and other tools for online learning.

It is understood Mr Harris is exploring options in relation to the cost of attending third-level institutions. Speaking outside Government Buildings yesterday, he said: ‘We’ve obviously just established a new department. So what we need to do now is a body of work over the coming weeks in advance of the estimates to work and how best we can ensure that cost is never a barrier to accessing education.’

Mr Harris set out plans for the safe operation of campuses, including funding to cover the costs incurred by third-level institutions for health protection measures. However, college life will be very different, with an increase in modules or courses being taught online.

Up to €34million of the funding package will go towards helping with online learning, including equipment for thousands of students. Another €48million will go towards protecting research, while institutions that helped out during pandemic with buildings and equipment will get €14.4million.

Institutions will also get €41million for health protection measures. The funding includes a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund to €16million for students struggling financially.

A €2million support scheme for vulnerable learners is also being put in place, while a further €3million for mental health services was announced.

Mr Harris said the sector will have to assess the cost of foreign students, who pay even higher fees, coming to Ireland to study due to the pandemic. As thirdlevel institutions prepare to reopen in September, the minister said there will not be a one-size-fits-all roadmap to reopening, and to what level each institution will reopen to.

However, Mr Harris did say he hoped measures would be put in place to allow incoming first-year students to have more on campus time than other students.

Representatives of the Siptu union cautiously welcomed the increased emergency funding, but said the pandemic had highlighted ‘serious flaws’ in the third-level model – and called for a longterm plan and vision for the sector.