Hidden costs could affect grant recipients

Students could be hit by hidden budgetary costs in addition to the loss of up to €1,500 that will hit thousands of grant recipients.

Cian Power is one of the fortunate students whose grant will not be cut as a result of changes to the income thresholds. However, he is afraid of the impact of changes to PRSI, including its deduction from his earnings from two part-time jobs.

“I do about 20 hours a week in a yacht club and a sweet shop, but I don’t make enough to pay PRSI. But now I’m no longer exempt and I may have to pay €260 out of those wages.”