A REVERSAL to cuts in maintenance grants for thousands of mature students was called for at a demonstration yesterday evening.
New students receiving the back to education allowance will not be entitled to receive the third-level maintenance grant, under a measure introduced in the last budget.
Members of the Union of Students of Ireland urged Minister for Education Mary Coughlan to change the policy which may result in many potential mature students not being able to attend college.
“We have been getting constant calls from mature students who are worried or upset including many lone parents,” said Dan O’Neill USI deputy president.
The measure will affect mature students beginning a third-level course in September or those on access programmes who intend to start third level. A significant increase in mature students at third level are expected this September according to CAO figures.
The budget measure would save some €4 million this year and €35 million in 2012, a Department of Education spokeswoman said.
