Students want legislative action on grants delay

IT has become increasingly clear in the last few weeks that the presidents of our universities have become disconnected from the reality faced by the people to whom their position is entirely due — the students.

Fri, 17 Aug, 2007 - 01:00

Letters

While many students do have more money than in the past, there are still huge numbers who struggle their way through college.

The Forum of University Students Unions (FUSU), which is made up of the student unions of Ireland’s universities, believes strongly that third-level education should be available to everyone, and not restricted solely to the wealthy.

We therefore strongly welcome the refusal of Education Minister Mary Hanafin to countenance the return of third-level fees — a decision that recognises the huge advances in Irish society and the economy since fees were abolished 12 years ago.

The long-awaited Student Support Bill centralising the grants system needs to be passed as a matter of urgency.

The often huge delays in this system need to be eradicated immediately to help those students with the least money who struggle through college and to encourage wider third-level participation.

Alan Flanagan

SU President

Dublin City University

James Hope

SU President

NUI Galway

Máirín Condon

SU president

NUI Maynooth

Andrew Byrne

SU President

TCD