Almost 79,000 apply for CAO third-level places
It wants the Government to increase emergency funds for students struggling most with rent and other costs, but also wants higher grant rates restored to students living certain distances from college.
The call came as final applicant figures from the Central Applications Office (CAO) show 79,214 people seeking entry. When 515 of those who applied through a new system for places in second or later years of courses are excluded, the 78,699 total is still up nearly 300 on the 2014 figure.
