Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
918. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost of the stipend provided to Ukrainian students who are beneficiaries of temporary protection since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52636/26]
View answerMy Department has provided specific support to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) to access further and higher education. These supports recognise the benefits of further and higher education for Ukrainian students, as well as the wider society and economy. It also represents an important part of Ireland’s solidarity and is a contribution to the long-term recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
In 2022, as part of an emergency response to support students fleeing the conflict my Department initiated a stipend scheme to support BoTPs accessing higher education. This stipend was initially co-funded through the Erasmus National Grant.
In academic year 2025/26 revisions were made to the temporary stipend scheme to align it more closely with other State supports, including the Student Support Grant Scheme. From academic year 2025/26 the Beneficiary of Temporary Protection (BOTP) Stipend Scheme provided targeted supports to students whose Temporary Protection Permission had been granted less than three years before the start of the academic year. The BOTP Stipend rates were also brought into closer alignment with the SUSI adjacent and non-adjacent maintenance rates. Eligible students whose primary residence is less than 30 kms from their college received €3,230 (adjacent rate), while those whose primary residence is 30 kms or more from the college received €7,586 (non-adjacent rate).
The scheme will continue in the 2026/27 academic year, with eligible existing students continuing to receive maintenance support under the revised arrangements.
The costs associated with the BoTP Stipend Scheme from academic year 2022/23 to academic year 2025/26 are outlined below.
|
The BOTP Stipend |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
Total |
|
The BOTP Stipend |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
Total |
|
Number of Students qualifying for support |
310 |
527 |
1291 |
725 |
|
|
Funding provided |
€1,700,000 |
€4,587,239 |
€10,832,028 |
€3,584,925 |
€20,704,192.00 |
* In 2022 and 2023 the Stipend was Co-funded via the Erasmus National Grant.
