SUSI Student Grant Body Decide to Disable Website At Key Moment For Students

Ógra Aontú have criticised the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, today after the website which students use to obtain a SUSI grant went offline for a number of days.

Speaking today spokesperson for the group Melissa Byrne, said: "This has been a complete disaster. SUSI's website went offline earlier this week and remains offline today as it undergoes an upgrade. This was a planned upgrade - and yet SUSI picked this week to go offline - the week where college registration opens across the country. The week when students enroll in courses and are asked to pay fees"

Ms Byrne continued: "They really picked the worst possible week to go offline. They could literally have gone offline in any other week of the year with minimal disruption. This decision has caused absolute havoc for students up and down the country and it's time Minister Simon Harris came out and made a public statement on the issue"

"As with previous years the grant system is in chaos. I am aware of students who have been refused a grant while their siblings have been successful in their applications. Siblings of the same household, travel distance and parental income. I'm also aware of students who have been offered a grant despite not having applied for one! There is no rhyme nor reason to the SUSI system and its beginning to feel like they're picking names from a hat at this stage!" concluded Ms Byrne.

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.