THE GOVERNMENT'S decision to freeze grant payments for third-level students for the upcoming college term has been sharply criticised by the Opposition and the national student representative body.
Fine Gael said the move showed the Government's promise not to cut back on educational spending during a financial downturn was "merely spin", while the Union of Students in Ireland said students were being used as "scapegoats" during a harder economic period.
Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe yesterday announced the maintenance grant, which is received by some 60,000 students at different rates depending on their family income, would not increase on last year's maximum payment of €3,420 for most applicants or €6,690 for those in the lowest-income category.
Mr O'Keeffe also announced the lowest income threshold, which entitles students to the larger grant, is to increase by some 11 per cent, meaning this term any student from a family with an income under €20,000 is now eligible, compared to an income of €18,000 last year. "These increases in the income limits will serve to ensure that students from families on low to middle incomes will continue to benefit from State support towards the living costs associated with participation in third-level education," he said.
However, according to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) the majority of third-level students who receive grants are only entitled to the 50 per cent part-maintenance grant of €1,710 each year, while students living within 24km of their college receive only €685.
USI president Shane Kelly said the announcement was a "worrying development" and accused the Government of using the most vulnerable people in society to effect a cost-saving measure.
He said given that inflation is 4 per cent, twice the European Central Bank's desired rate, and food costs are higher than last year, the Government's allocation was "woefully inadequate".
"By not increasing the grant at all the Government have made life more difficult by effectively penalising those who are struggling," Mr Kelly said.
"While inflation is running high, this effectively amounts to a decrease in the financial supports being offered to students. Supposed increases are actually cuts in the supports being offered."
Mr O'Keeffe also announced that, in future, grant increases will be considered in the budget each December, which Mr Kelly said would give the USI an opportunity to lobby for a better deal.
However, these announcements will come some three months after the start of the college year, which the USI said "only serves to compound the problems, as not only will students receive inadequate grants, they will more than likely be received late".
Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes said grants for third-level students being considered as part of the budget process was confirmation that Fianna Fáil would implement cutbacks in education.
Mr Hayes said he feared the Government would "slash" the education budget, which could damage attempts to develop a knowledge-based economy.
"Students, teachers, parents, pupils and everyone involved in education have been sold down the river by Batt O'Keeffe and the lies his Government told about education finances," he said.
