THE ATTEMPT BY the government to link the awarding of 3rd Level Education grants with payment of the Household Charge demonstrates how the poisonous effects of this austerity tax will cause increasing aggravation if Fine Gael and Labour don't change course and abolish it as well as abandon the plan for a property tax next year, Cllr Declan Bree told this month’s meeting of Sligo County Council
“The threat to deprive students of third level education grants was a new low for the Fine Gael/Labour coalition.” he said
“It was totally out of order, as practically all grants are for young people who have no liability for the household charge in the first place.
“It was unacceptable to terrorise students and families in this manner at a very stressful time when they were trying to access college.
“It was a disgraceful move particularly because the government was very much aware that it had no legal basis whatever for linking payment of the tax to the third level grant
“The government is clearly getting desperate and appears to be willing to use any means to get the registration figures up.
“Thankfully the protests and resistance that quickly emerged from the anti household charge campaign forced an immediate backtracking by the government and the Councils involved.” said Cllr Bree