Student Support Bill needed now more than ever

Fine Gael Seanad Education Spokesperson, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has tabled an emergency item for discussion at today’s (Thursday) Joint Oireachtas Education Committee meeting to discuss the implementation of the stalled but much needed Student Support Bill.

“The Student Support Bill which would see the current grant system overhauled has been stalled for 18 months now. I have recently been contacted by the President of the Union of Students in Ireland who confirmed that 50 students a week are dropping out of college as a result of delays with the payment of grants. Colleges which are particularly badly hit by drop-outs for financial reasons are the colleges on west coast including Letterkenny IT, Sligo IT, Galway/ Mayo IT.

“Local authorities are under such pressure that some students have been informed that they will not receive their first grant payment for this academic until into 2010, meaning months of living without funds. Funding of the third level sector is by no means on a sound footing which makes the passing of this Bill even more critical.

“As it stands local authorities do not have the money to make grant payments. If students do not receive payment until January at the earliest they are in danger of missing out on up to three months of their education due to their inability to meet accommodation and living costs. This may make it impossible for some students to catch up, leaving them hopelessly behind when it comes to first semester exams.

“The Government has stalled on the Student Support Bill for 18 months now. Students are suffering due to the worsening financial crises they and their families are now being forced to cope with. Education is an investment in our students’ and the nation's future and should never be left in such a precarious position.

“I have tabled an emergency item for tomorrow’s meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Education Committee to discuss this crisis in funding and to get the ball rolling on progressing this Bill past second stage.”