Income cut-offs for college grants to stay unchanged

INCOME cut-offs for college grants next autumn will remain largely unchanged despite pressure to increase third-level access for poorer students when details are announced by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan next week.

However, the number of students eligible for support will still rise sharply as thousands more applicants are likely to be from homes affected by job losses and wage cuts.

This may significantly increase the Department of Education’s student support bill above the €320 million due to be paid out this year, even though the amounts paid are also expected to be frozen or slightly reduced. Ms Coughlan’s predecessor as Education Minister, Batt O’Keeffe, cut payments by 5% in January despite rising third-level education costs.