60% rise in students getting grants

A 60% rise in college entrants qualifying for grants in the last three years is putting huge pressure on the Department of Education to stay within its budget.

More than 42,000 students will receive a grant for the first time this year, up from just over 26,500 in the 2007/2008 academic year.

This brings the total number of grant recipients to 73,751, a 28% increase in just two years, according to figures in a briefing note to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn on the student grant scheme from his senior officials.