9th December 2009
The Union of Students in Ireland is outraged by the Government's slashing of the student maintenance grant as part of today's Budget.
The student maintenance grant has been reduced by five percent.
In addition to this, students in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance will no longer qualify for the student maintenance grant.
These changes will apply from next month.
Figures recently released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the cost of education had risen by 11.6 percent in the year to October 2009.
These rises in education costs, coupled with the new grant restrictions, will bring about dire consequences for thousands of students around Ireland.
The education of these students - who are already struggling to meet the everyday costs of living, including transport, accommodation, food and college supplies - is in jeopardy as a result of today's Budget.
The USI has requested a meeting with the Minister of Education Batt O' Keeffe to discuss the cuts to the student maintenance grant with a view to protecting the future education of thousands of students.
Peter Mannion, USI President, said:
"USI is totally opposed to cuts in the student grant as part of the Budget today.
Claims by Minister O' Keeffe, which state that the reductions in the grants are in line with the drop in the cost of living, are contrary to recent reports by the CSO.
Because reductions in the student maintenance grant are to come into effect in January 2010, students will be affected midway through their academic year. This will have serious consequences on the remainder of their time in college.
I wish to meet personally with Minister O' Keeffe to discuss the cuts in the maintenance grant and the meltdown in the processing of grant applications this year.
It is imperative that we protect the most vulnerable students in Ireland."
The student maintenance grant has been reduced by five percent.
In addition to this, students in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance will no longer qualify for the student maintenance grant.
These changes will apply from next month.
Figures recently released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the cost of education had risen by 11.6 percent in the year to October 2009.
These rises in education costs, coupled with the new grant restrictions, will bring about dire consequences for thousands of students around Ireland.
The education of these students - who are already struggling to meet the everyday costs of living, including transport, accommodation, food and college supplies - is in jeopardy as a result of today's Budget.
The USI has requested a meeting with the Minister of Education Batt O' Keeffe to discuss the cuts to the student maintenance grant with a view to protecting the future education of thousands of students.
Peter Mannion, USI President, said:
"USI is totally opposed to cuts in the student grant as part of the Budget today.
Claims by Minister O' Keeffe, which state that the reductions in the grants are in line with the drop in the cost of living, are contrary to recent reports by the CSO.
Because reductions in the student maintenance grant are to come into effect in January 2010, students will be affected midway through their academic year. This will have serious consequences on the remainder of their time in college.
I wish to meet personally with Minister O' Keeffe to discuss the cuts in the maintenance grant and the meltdown in the processing of grant applications this year.
It is imperative that we protect the most vulnerable students in Ireland."
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