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.

Statistics show the beginnings of another mass exodus. Our homegrown talent is leaving in search of an honest, productive life elsewhere. Those pursuing masters qualifications are not eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) except in the case of teaching. Anyone free to take a full-time masters programme is most likely unemployed and claiming social welfare. Who can afford to give up their only source of income to study full-time.

Their choice is this – stay on social welfare, unable to get work because they are under-qualified in their own field or do the course at their own expense with no income.

The Government needs to get real. These victims of the recession are trying to get back into the education system so they can find work again and become active members of Irish society, contributing rather than taking. The Government’s shortsightedness is what got us into this mess in the first place. Can it not learn from past mistakes.

The definition of “insanity” is repeating an action and expecting a different outcome each time.

One must wonder about our Government then...

Cllr Noel Collins

Midleton

Co Cork