Third-level study ‘still not affordable for thousands’
The union is still reeling from the implication of the grants shortfall in regards to social welfare recipients being encouraged to return to study, as unveiled by Social Protection Minister Éamon O Cuív.
Social welfare recipients need only be getting support for nine rather than 12 months to qualify for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) for the upcoming college year, except those who have been receiving illness benefit for whom a two-year qualifying period will still apply. The payment will also be available for the first time to those returning to a course or starting, rather than just those starting the first year of a study programme.
But USI president Gary Redmond said that while this may open up the scheme to many more students, it will still not benefit thousands who have lost their jobs since the start of the year. The allowance replaces a student’s existing social welfare income and is supplemented by a €500 cost of education allowance, but in last year’s budget it was announced that those who receive it will not be eligible for a grant from this autumn. Mr Redmond said this withdrawal of maintenance grant support by the Government from those who get the BTEA remains as their biggest obstacle to college entry. “Most people on the BTEA qualify for some level of grant support up to now, but they just won’t be able to afford a third-level education without it. €We will be asking Education Minister and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan again to reverse the policy on the grant eligibility.”
A spokesperson for Mr O Cuív said the minister accepts there may be issues in relation to childcare costs for BTEA recipients and he is looking into this. The Department of Social Protection expects more than 25,000 people to qualify for the BTEA in the upcoming academic year, up from more than 20,800 in the past year.
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