The students of Carlow College, St Patricks are not eligible to apply for the recent Governments announcement of the new Laptop Grant scheme. The reason given to the students was because the college is deemed a private entity therefore they do not qualify.
Speaking on this, Sinn Féin TD for Wexford Deputy Johnny Mythen has said,
“There is a flaw in the Minister’s criteria for accessing the laptop grant scheme that is affecting many students in Wexford who attend Carlow College St. Patrick’s.”
“Most of the students who attend Carlow College are primarily made up of mature students, with many falling under Hardship categories. Many of these students are in receipt of a SUSI Grant or Back to Education Allowance.”
“It is unfair that students who are struggling financially and need the support of the laptop grant scheme are excluded based on the college they attend.”
“I have written to Minister Simon Harris to highlight this inequality, and I have asked him to address this anomaly. I believe the Criteria to obtain the Laptop grant must be based on the circumstances of the individual students, not the College they attend.”