A delegation of third level students met with Clare County Council officials yesterday to outline their concern over the local authority’s decision to link the grant with the household charge
Dozens from colleagues in Limerick and Galway held a demonstration outside the council’s offices in Ennis to protest after the local authority wrote to college applicants asking for proof that the 100 euro levy has been paid in order to process their grant application process
It insists that students will not have their grants withheld if the charge has not been paid, but says those who have complied with the law will have their applications prioritised
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus we heard how Clare FM’s Deputy News Editor Trudy Waters got on at the student protest yesterday
Students Unions around Ireland are calling on Clare County Council to abandon it’s policy of deprioritising the grant applications of students whose families have not paid the household charge
The local authority has asked all grant applicants to furnish proof that they have paid the charge, and while it insists no student will have their moneys withheld, a spokesman for the Council has told Clare FM that those who have paid will be dealt with first
Unions claim this is unfair, as it will see many of the poorest students left waiting for money, even though they’ve been in college since the beginning of the month.
Niall Barrett, Clare County Manager Head of Finance, explained the council’s position to John Cooke
If you have concerns or queries contact 065 684 6200 and ask for the Higher Education Grant Section or email [email protected]
Emmet Greaney, an NUIG student from Kilrush is in his final year of Law
He says it would be impossible for him to have attended college without a grant and doesn’t think its fair to punish already struggling families
The Union of Students in Ireland has severely criticised Clare County Council’s decision to demand proof of payment for the household charge before it processes maintenance grant applications. USI says that young people must not be penalised for their parents’ decisions
Their President John Logue had a word with John
Psychologist and Author David Coleman joined John in studio for a word on his latest book The Thriving Family
Ennis will celebrate its links with ‘The Greatest’ when it holds the second annual “Be The Best That You Can Be Seminar” at Glór today
500 secondary school students will attend a seminar featuring motivational talks and workshops concentrating on music, sport, relaxation and drug awareness. Speakers will include TV presenter and Clinical Psychologist David Coleman and Ian Taylor, the youngest Irishman to reach the summit of Mount Everest
The long awaited new buildings at Ennis General Hospital were finally opened to patients and the public yesterday afternoon, years after the project was first planned.
It’s hoped the 15 million euro development will provide some certainty for the future of hospital services in Clare as political debate regarding medical services in the Mid-West continues so following much talk about these buildings and local health services over the years – I was invited along for a tour of the state of the art facilities and to meet patients and management at the hospital
John Cooke visited Ennis General Hospital’s new wing yesterday and spoke with Frank Keane, General Manager – MHRH – Ennis
He also met James Carmody from Newmarket on Fergus, the first Patient addmitted to new ward block at Ennis General and also Mary Cahir, Director of Nursing MWRH Ennis.
The Kildysart Community Gallery includes a craft shop and is supplied and supported by locals
It is operated on a voluntary, non-profit basis, and tonight members of the public are being invited for along to their open night as Bernie O’Gorman explained.
If you have a story for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
