Row could delay payment of grants to students

AN industrial dispute in the vocational education sector could delay the payment of the improved grants to thousands of third-level students announced at the weekend.

More than 700 administration workers in the country’s Vocational Education Committees (VECs) have placed a ban on additional work until a row over staffing levels is resolved.

Such extra work would include the processing of thousands of extra grant applications expected as a result of the changes to income thresholds announced by Education Minister Noel Dempsey.

His department said the €42 million he secured for extra student supports will help about 11,000. IMPACT union members in the 33 VECs, which handle about 80% of third-level grant applications, are voting on a Department of Education offer to increase staff numbers.

But while sources suggest next week’s result will be in favour or acceptance, there will be a threat to the grants system if it is rejected.

Regardless of the outcome, the Irish Vocational Education Association, the VEC umbrella body, has urged the Government to ensure there are no delays in preparing the paperwork.

After changes to the grants scheme last July, the Department of Education did not send out application forms to the VECs until mid-August.

This meant thousands of students did not receive their first payments for a number of months after returning to college.

“We will co-operate with the department in speeding up the process, but there are a lot more changes to be made this year.

"The clock is ticking away rapidly and the VEC sector wants to begin the process as quickly as possible,” said IVEA general secretary Michael Moriarty.

A Department of Education spokesperson said there were no fears over the production of grant forms and they would go out to the VECs and local authorities who process them on time for students this year.

Tens of thousands of first-year college entrants must submit details of their family income with their forms, and up to half the applications have to be resubmitted because of omissions or mistakes.

Under Mr Dempsey’s package, secured as a compromise for shelving plans for college fees, all maintenance grants will be increased by 15% and students from families earning up to €38,000 will receive some payment.

The Union of Students in Ireland, which welcomed the extra €42m available for maintenance grants, said it is hopeful that there will be no repeat of the delays experienced last year.