Grants scheme on road to nowhere

GIVEN our obvious fondness in Ireland for roundabouts it appears our new masterpiece is the Higher Education Grant Scheme following on from the changes discreetly made this year.

All the signposts are there showing our would-be students the way forward as they approach it – but there are no exits, now ways to pursue the roads to self-improvement and increased employability.

Barriers abound. On the surface, Ireland supports third-level education, encourages everyone (in particular the unemployed) to upskill and educate themselves while riding out the storm – but every possible impediment is put in their way when they try to do so.