Third level grants delayed because of clerical dispute

THOUSANDS of third level students are undergoing unnecessary hardship, because of the late payment of their grants, a student conference has been told.

The persistent problem of late payment of grants by some local authorities has been exacerbated this year by an industrial dispute affecting the RTCs, the conference in Cork was told.

The dispute, involving 200 clerical, administrative and library staff, who are members of Impact, has held up the processing of European Social Fund grants.

Staff are operating a ban on the use of telephones, so no queries are being handled.

The education officer of the Union of Students in Ireland Mr Malcolm Byrne, said a majority of local authorities had yet to pay students the first instalment of their grants, even though the first term was several weeks old in many colleges.

"Just when students most need money for rent deposits and books, they are being left empty handed. There has to be a better way of giving people what they're entitled to," he said.

Politicians at the education conference organised by USI called for changes in the administration of the grants scheme. Ms Kathleen Lynch, Democratic Left, said grant payments should be paid directly into the students' bank accounts.

Ms Mairin Quill, Progressive Democrats, said it was "entirely indefensible" that the system had not been changed as the Minister for Education had promised. It was time a central bureau took over the administration of the scheme.

Mr Paul Bradford, Fine Gael, said the payment dates for grants were "most unsatisfactory". However, he blamed much of the problem on poor form filling by applicants. "It amazes me how people can get top points to go to college but aren't able to fill out a simple form."

The TDs said they would raise the matter with Ms Breathnach.