Survey reveals students in poverty
by Michael Pierse
SFY activists in Dublin have reacted strongly to the poverty to
which students are being subjected, as revealed in a Union of
Students in Ireland survey last week.
The survey, which betrayed the true level of student deprivation
in the 26 counties, uncovered such worrying statistics as: ``a
paltry maintainance grant of £45.90'' for those living away from
home is barely enough to cover students' accommodation costs, not
inclusive of the cost of utilities.
Forty two per cent of respondents admitted having no source of
financial support. Six per cent have accesssed their colleges
hardship fund and the average expenditure on books and course
materials respectively are £31.40 and £12,56 per month. Fifty
nine per cent of students in part time employment said their work
had a negative impact on their studies.
Pearse Doherty of SFY, who has recently completed his exams in a
Dublin college, was scathing in his analysis of the revelations.
``The statistics clearly represent a now epidemic level of student
poverty in Ireland. It is an outright disgrace that young people,
wishing to attend third level courses are being discouraged by an
entirely inequal and wholly inadequate financial support system,''
he said. Fellow student and SFY member, Brian O'Neill, called on
the Dublin Government to introduce ``a more compassionate system,
affording all young people, irrespective of their background, the
opportunity of a level playing field.''
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