Dempsey’s rainy day cash to help 56,000

STUDENTS from the most disadvantaged backgrounds will get an extra €500 a year under Minister for Education Noel Dempsey’s third level access package.

The top-up grant for students from welfare-dependent families will rise to almost €4,500, from the present rate of €4,000, with 7,000 students availing of it.

The minister said yesterday that 56,000 students will benefit from the €42 million being targeted at disadvantaged students in third level.