Concerns expressed to me on the doorsteps during the recent election particularly focused on covering the cost of fees and accommodation. While for some it may be possible to sustain one or both for one year,  or for one family member,  many who would normally fall outside the scope of the grant scheme have valid concerns about taking on  a three or four year course that would entail the student living away from home.  Others who would normally qualify for a grant are questioning if the new scheme will fully cover any new fees.  

The new Higher Education Grant Scheme has not  as yet been notified to the Local Authorities who are charged with administering it.  Evidence suggests that many people who have found themselves unemployed will avail of the opportunity to return to education,  when this is considered  in addition to the normal applications it has the potential of creating  an avalanche of  applications yet the public service embargo limits the scope of Councils to deal with all applications in a timely way.   Delays in processing and paying grants can at this stage be foreseen,  this will add considerably  to the pressure for applicants  with very limited incomes.  

The Government must start considering these issues from the students perspective otherwise we are facing yet another unholy mess.