More than 10,000 disadvantaged third-level students are to benefit this year from improvements in Department of Education maintenance grants.
Students living more than 15 miles from college will get £2,000, an increase of £225, while those living within 15 miles of college will receive £1,000, an increase of £290.
The increases apply only to students officially classified as disadvantaged. These are likely to be students whose families are in receipt of social welfare. Other grant-holders will stay on the ordinary rates, which range between £710 and £1,775, although there is the possibility of getting some additional money from college hardship funds.
The Minister for Education, Dr Woods, has also set up an action group to suggest ways to increase access to third level for the disadvantaged. This group is chaired by the former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr Cormac Macnamara.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said the increases in the grants were inadequate. A spokesman pointed out that the £225 increase would mean only £6.25 extra per week. "Does anyone really believe this is enough?" he asked.
The USI education officer, Mr Colm Jordan, said the cost of attending college was £5,000.
The USI president, Mr Julian de Spainn, said Dr Woods should increase grants to social welfare levels. He added that disadvantage at third level was showing little sign of decreasing. "Only 5 per cent of students from the Dublin 1 postal district go to college, while 50 per cent from Dublin 4 go to third level," he said.
Emmet Oliver can be reached at eoliver@irish-times.ie