Frustration over college maintenance grant

I applaud the Students Union who took the case of college maintenance grant cuts to the High Court and I question the judge’s decision and summing up of the maintenance aid needed to pursue a third level course.

I speak as a parent who has been denied a grant for the student because the authorities judge our distance from CIT as the crow flies. Where is the common sense and how can a student make a 9am lecture in CIT by commuting by Bus Éireann? Other parents have told me they avail of the grant even though their circumstances would be far more financially better than ours, they may live a few kilometres off the “crow’s route” .

I am happy that they qualify, but the grant application should be accessed on a means test for some parents who are dependent on unemployment assistance and even some on old age pensions. Government officials who implement these ‘brainless’ laws can do so with no opposition or effective criticism and I am very disappointed that my local politicians did very little to overturn this rule which will possibly deny a member of my family the third year of his course.

The decision is ruthless, reckless and foolhardy to the extreme, putting severe pressure on students who cannot now afford food towards the end of week, not to mention clothing and other necessities.

Eilish O’Brien

Castlelyons

Co Cork