€400 million may not cover student grants

THE near €400 million put aside by the Department of Education for college grants might not be enough after applications have already been received for more than 92,000 students.

Latest figures from all 66 public bodies handling applications show that more than 59,000 first-time applicants sought funding, and another 33,000 previous recipients have submitted renewal applications.

The data from most councils and VECs reflects claims up to September 23, more than three weeks after the August 31 official closing date.

The number of students applying for the first time is already close to the 62,040 new applications received in the entire previous college year, when more than 72,500 undergraduates qualified for assistance.

Applications are accepted after August 31 each year but priority is given to those received on time.

However, the figures to date suggest the €24m increase in the student grants budget to €386m could be inadequate to deal with further rises in eligible student numbers and the additional €500 cost of paying the student charge for qualifying undergraduates.

The final spend will depend on the numbers qualifying for higher levels of support, and a range of changes have been introduced to the grant scheme this autumn to limit payments. But, while grant payments have been cut by the same 4% as social welfare rates, cutting them further could risk making college unaffordable for more disadvantaged students.

Responding to reports that money paid to teachers for supervision and substitution could also be targeted, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said such a move would be a pay cut and is not allowed under the Croke Park Agreement.

Under the deal guaranteeing no pay cuts in return for greater efficiency, second-level teachers who are paid extra for those duties are now timetabled for more supervision and substitution.

Second-level teachers who signed up to the deal were only called on to deliver 80% of the hours for which they were paid to be available in 2008. The scheme cost €90m in 2007 but changes to the circumstances in which schools can hire substitute teachers saw the wider substitution bill cut to €309m last year.

Meanwhile, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has urged Mr Quinn to reconsider introducing an eight-subject limit in the Junior Certificate for students starting second level as soon as next year. It said the timing of the change has caused concern among teachers and parents and could damage support for wider junior cycle reforms.