Second-chance students from disadvantaged backgrounds could be forced to abandon postgraduate studies due to cutbacks in the Back to Education Allowance, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs heard yesterday.
The allowance, which is granted to lone parents and the long-term unemployed who enter third level, has been removed entirely from postgraduate students. For undergraduates, the allowance has been reduced from 12 months to nine months a year.
The Union of Students in Ireland says the cut will save the department €12.5 million.
A letter of protest has been sent to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, by 17 professors and lecturers at NUI Galway. The letter, which was submitted to the Oireachtas committee, states: "The future of these students in postgraduate education and in the professions rests solely on the fervent hope that the BTEA will continue for intending postgraduates . . . our lobbying will continue until a satisfactory outcome is reached."
At the committee meeting, Fine Gael senator Mr Maurice Cummins called the cut "an appalling attack on the student population that questions the Government's commitment to tackling educational disadvantage".
For second-chance undergraduates, finding work for three months in the summer could be impossible considering rising unemployment, according to the USI president, Mr Colm Jordan.
The nine-month cost for a student in college is €6,148.08, according to a USI survey. The allowance pays €4,867 over nine months, which would leave students with a deficit of €1,280.88.