HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS PROTEST IN CITY OVER POSSIBLE GRANT CUTS

Date Published: 14-Nov-2012

Hundreds of third level students held a major protest in the City this afternoon over possible cuts to the third level maintenance grant.

Students from GMIT, NUI Galway and Athlone IT gathered in Eyre Square to send a strong message to Government ahead of the December budget that families can’t afford to take further grant cuts or pay increases in the student contribution.

The students carried placards and blew whistles while chanting, "no ifs, no buts, no education cuts."

Galway Gardai maintained a strong presence at the protest but there were no disruptions by students.

The mobile phone numbers of Galway TDs Sean Kyne, Derek Nolan and Colm Keaveney were called out over a sound system and every student was urged to text them to vent their frustrations about the proposed cuts.

A group also marched to the office of Deputy Derek Nolan and held a peaceful protest outside it.

37% of NUI Galway students and 55% of GMIT students are in receipt of a maintenance grant.

Thousands of students are also waiting on their grant applications to be processed through SUSI.