Crowe expresses alarm at possible loss of post graduate support

Sinn Féin’s Education Spokesperson, Deputy Seán Crowe has expressed alarm at reports that the Government is planning to abolish all financial support for new postgraduate students.

A report in the Sunday Business Post claims that from next year existing grants and maintenance support for postgraduates will be scrapped.
Deputy Crowe said: “Any attempt by the Government to abolish support for postgraduate students will have serious implications for the majority of people who wish to continue their studies at third level.

“I would join with the Union of Students, Ireland (USI) in calling for the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, to honour his pre-election pledge that there would be no increase in fees or cuts to the maintenance grant.

“The withdrawal of funding for postgraduate funding will mean many students are prevented from studying for a Masters Degree or PHD.

“Irish postgraduates will be forced to leave Ireland to avail of research opportunities abroad. It will banish thousands of Irish students from accessing postgraduate education, which will have a detrimental impact on Irish Universities that depend on postgraduate research to boost their rankings, generate additional economic output and enhance our international reputation.

“This Government is taking decisions that are in danger of making third level education the sole preserve of the wealthy. That is unacceptable and it makes little sense at a time when we are attempting to produce highly skilled well educated graduates which acts as an incentive to attracting high tech industry to these shores.”