Meath students to see significant cut in grant rates
Navan Town Councillor Caoimhe Ní Shluáin has revealed that many third level students in Meath will see a significant cut to their grants as a result of the Budget 2011 measure to change the criteria for the non-adjacent rate of grants.
Cllr Ní Shuáin called on the Minister for Education to take action immediately to reverse this grossly unfair measure.
She said:
“A number of students have approached me recently seeking clarification on changes to the adjacent and non adjacent grant scheme for third level education. These changes have come about as a result of measures implemented in Budget 2011 changing the criteria for qualification for the non adjacent rate of maintenance grant.
“These Meath students who previously qualified for the full non-adjacent rate of €3,120 will now receive €1,250. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds who previously qualified for the special rate of €6,100 will now receive €2,445. This is on top of a 4% cut in student grants across the board.
“This is a hugely significant and extreme cut. Many students I have spoken to simply have no idea how they are going to get by or if they will even be able to carry on with their studies.
“The Minister for Education has been very vocal in the past on issues relating to third level education, on the need to build a knowledge economy to get the country out of recession and back on the road to recovery. The stark reality here is that this cut in grant rates will see many students drop out of college because they simply can’t afford it. What then for the knowledge economy?
“To this end I have submitted a motion to Navan Town Council calling on Minister Ruaírí Quinn to stand by his commitment to third level education and reverse this grossly unfair measure”
Motion:
In light of recent changes to student grant rates for the academic year 2011 – 2012 with particular reference to the adjacent rate and the non adjacent rate and the inflexibility around the implementation of the special rate grant, Navan Town Council calls on Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn to stand by his previous commitments on third level education and reverse these changes with immediate effect.
