Students from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) will tomorrow lead a ‘crusade’ of students from both sides of the Liffey against any more cuts being made in the forthcoming Budget to financial supports for students. You can join the Facebook event here
The students will be marching tomorrow afternoon from Aungier Street (3.15pm), Bolton Street (2.45pm) and Cathal Brugha Street (2.50pm) to Leinster House tomorrow where they will then link up with USI’s national demonstration at 4.00pm.
Glenn Fitzpatrick, President of DIT Students’ Union (DITSU), explained that just over half of all DIT students depend on some form of financial support to get through college and those students are deeply worried about possible cuts in the Budget.
“The maintenance grant has been cut consecutively over the last four years and we understand that the Government is looking at it again. We are also concerned that the Back to Education Allowance – which allows people who are unemployed get the chance to go to college – may be reduced as well in the forthcoming Budget.”
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Glenn Fitzpatrick said if students don’t act now to stop such cuts being made then the consequences could be devastating to thousands of students and their families.
“We’re telling students on the ground in the DIT that even if they themselves don’t have any financial worries, they can be certain that some of their classmates are on a grant and depend on that support to get them through college.
“So tomorrow (Tuesday, 1 October) we are congregating outside Leinster House at 4pm, alongside students from all of the other Dublin colleges to make our point, nice and loudly, that we will not stand idly by and allow our friends, classmates – the most vulnerable students and their families – shoulder the burden any more,” Glenn Fitzpatrick concluded.
