Every effort being made over grants - Minister [IrishTimes]
- Published: 06 November 2009
EVERY EFFORT is being made by local authorities and VECs to ensure that students get decisions on their grant applications as soon as possible, Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has said.
He was responding to concerns raised by Fine Gael that students were facing delays of up to four months for a decision on a grant application, due to staffing problems in grants offices and an increase in people seeking such assistance.Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes said the delays meant students were in danger of dropping out due to financial pressure or "being thrown out for non-payment of the registration fee". Those in receipt of a grant do not have to pay this fee. Mr Hayes said staff in VECs were working "flat out" but were not receiving the support they needed.
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