Ben Slimm.
A LOCAL Labour Party member says it is unfair that students could lose out on SUSI grants because they were claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and wants the issued addressed by Government.
Ben Slimm from Tralee, who ran in the Local Elections for the party in 2019, said students who have been in receipt of PUP through the loss of work through no fault of their own, are going to be put at a major disadvantage when it comes to their SUSI grant assessment.
“Like everyone else, students weren’t able to work because of the lockdown and closure of sectors like hospitality where many would have worked,” said Mr Slimm, who works as Marketing and Enterprise Officer in the Kerry campus of Munster Technological University.
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“Part time work in pubs, restaurants, hotels and retail was an essential income support for students in college but wasn’t available over the last few months but many were eligible for the PUP but this will impact on their student grants for next year. This is at a time of record rents and rising costs.
The government parties need to wake up and address this issue now before it is too late. It is totally unfair that a student would lose out on a grant that is essential for their attendance at college because they accepted the PUP in lieu of work they lost because of the lockdowns.”
