"We hope it can go some way to compensating students for any equipment a student may have had to pay for – such as a desk, chair, or new laptop."

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has announced that third level students will receive a once-off Covid payment of €250. The funding aims to offer assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme will ensure students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant before Christma Under the scheme, students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up to their grant before Christmas, while students who do not receive the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution. In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment to students. "The government is acutely conscious of the year this has been for third-level students," Harris said. "In March, colleges closed their doors and moved everything online.The new academic year has also meant little or no on-campus time. Today’s scheme is a recognition of the financial challenges this has brought for many people and we hope it can go some way to compensating students for any equipment a student may have had to pay for – such as a desk, chair, or new laptop. "Covid-19 has disrupted all our lives but for young people, it has resulted in many missed moments and many key life experiences. Today is a chance to recognise that. "I also want to take the chance to thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students over the coming weeks on this matter," he added.