Deputy Alan Dillon

Additional supports for Mayo students

ATU Mayo will receive funding to support students’ mental health and wellbeing, as well as cost of living matters.

The supports were provided in Budget 2023 to help reduce the cost of living for students and Deputy Alan Dillon has had confirmation from his colleague, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, on them.

Said Minister Harris: “Budget 2023 recognised the significant cost of education facing students and their parents.

“That is why we reduced the contribution fee by €1,000 for all undergraduate full-time students and increased all student grant payments by 10 per cent from January. It is why we reduced public transport fees too.

"These were important measures in the cost of living crisis. It is also important students know there is additional assistance available too.

“The Student Assistance Fund is available in every college across the country and is accessible to anyone who needs help with the day-to-day costs such as transport, rent, childcare, college materials, etc.

"This fund now stands at €17.1 million and is available through your access offices. In addition, €5 million is being provided in mental health supports for students across the country.”

Minister Harris added: “Students have endured an incredibly difficult few years and this fund ensures we can continue to invest in services and in the wellbeing of students.”

Dr. Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA, noted: “The positive mental health and wellbeing of our students in higher education is a building block to their success as learners. By creating supportive learning environments institutions and institutional leaders can assist students in navigating the changes and challenges students may encounter during their time in formal education and afterwards."

Commented Deputy Dillon: “The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. It will be available to help with costs such as books and class materials, rent and other utility bills, food, essential travel, childcare costs, medical costs.

“The mental health funding will be used to recruit additional student counsellors, support implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.”

The allocation is as follows:

Cost of Living Funding - €953,782

Additional allocation - €824,223

Student Support and Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund allocations 2022 - €393,676

Added Deputy Dillon: “Students can apply for the Student Assistance Fund to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties. They can contact their college access offices for information.”