COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) INFORMATION

Return to Campus

I hope that you continue to stay safe and well during these ever changing & challenging times.

IBAT have engaged with the relevant Government departments to establish a best course of action to continue delivering high quality education to all our students.

In line with that and with government recommendations we intend returning to full face to face delivery for our Undergraduate, Postgraduate and English Language courses.

We have collated a number of useful resources in preparation for back on campus face to face delivery.

We have also compiled additoinal information and resources below that we hope will be useful.

This situation is ever-changing but we will endeavour to update the sector as things develop.  As ever, please refer to the official sources for information and treat with caution any information you see on social media. 


Government Updates: 

HSE Coronavirus Overview 

Department of Education and Skills 

Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Immigration and Visa Arrangements

Travel Advice and Restrictions


Business Support:

A range of business supports have been announced by the government.

You can find more information here 

Schools are also advised to open dialogue with banks, landlords, suppliers and other stakeholders. 

Managing cash flow during Covid-19 


Student Support:

Health Care Provision

Measures have been put in place to ensure the availability of health care services for international students. All international students studying in Ireland can receive public health services for the testing and treatment of the Covid-19 virus. These services are being provided free of charge.

 

Financial Supports

A special COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 per week is available to any international student who lost their job as a result of the outbreak. For those international students in Ireland who had not yet engaged in employment while in the State, and are in need of assistance, the Government is providing financial supports under an Exceptional Needs Payments scheme.

Student Accommodation

The Irish Government has enacted legislation to protect those availing of rented accommodation in Ireland. This legislation includes rent freezes and prohibits evictions while Ireland is fighting the COVID 19 pandemic.

Immigration Issues

All permissions that were due to expire during the pandemic have now automatically been renewed. These extended permissions are on the same basis as existing permissions and the same conditions will continue to apply. For international English Language Students, the extension means that they may continue to work if they wish, but must also re-enrol in an on-line course of study to adhere to the conditions of their permission.

Furthermore, language students who left the State before completion of their studies due to COVID-19 may return and resume their studies and the duration of their absence will not count towards the 2 years maximum period of English language study allowed.

Temporary Visa Measures to Assist International Students


Student Welfare:

This is a testing time for international students. We strongly encourage schools to have clear and open communication channels with their students. They may need support and are likely to be uncertain of where to find the correct information.

Irish Council for International Students – COVID-19 Information

Department of Education and Skills leaflet for Students (translated in 12 languages)

MEI Guide to Best Practice for Student Welfare and Mental Health

The welfare of our students has to be of uppermost concern: their physical and mental health, their living conditions, their academic progress, their general wellbeing in what is a foreign country in lockdown.


In This Together:

The Irish government have launched a new Campaign – In This Together – which aims to help everyone in Ireland to Stay Connected, Stay Active, and look after their Mental Wellbeing throughout the Covid-19 Emergency.

The Campaign encourages everyone to pick a new activity which could help them to feel a little healthier or a little better as we deal with Covid-19.

And it signposts useful advice to help people of every age group to cope with the ongoing restrictions, whether they are looking after children, dealing with self-isolation, preparing for exams, or coping with cabin fever.

In This Together will offer regular videos, ideas and activities for people of all ages throughout the Emergency, over social media, through our partners in the media and promoted by the Community Call Forums which have been set up across Ireland.

All this information is being made available on www.gov.ie/Together, on your local authority website, on social media, television, radio and newspapers throughout the Emergency and you can find details of local initiatives on your local authority website.