NESF Report highlights need for free fees for part-time education

national | worker & community struggles and protests | press release Monday February 06, 2006 17:23 by Graham Ó Maonaigh - Labour Youth Labour Youth, 17 Ely Place, Dublin 2 086-8381556

Labour Youth have said that today’s report from the National Economic and
Social Forum Creating a More Inclusive Labour Market highlights key
inequalities in the education system that affect disadvantaged young adults
on low-incomes, and early school leavers in particular.

Labour Youth Chairperson, Graham O Maonaigh, commented, “Today’s NESF
report shows that the despite the Celtic Tiger, the Ireland of the 21st
Century is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world.

“The richest 20 % of our working-age population earn 12 times as much as
the poorest 20%. We need to radically address the growing inequalities in
our society to prevent the further polarization of the most marginalized in
our society.

“According to the report, only 12% of young low-skilled workers in Ireland
receive training in any one year. This significantly reduces their chances
of moving into more stable, better paid employment

“Educational inequalities have been radically addressed since the
introduction of the 3rd Level Fee Remission Scheme which has allowed many
people to attend universities, colleges, and vocational institutions that
otherwise would not have had the means to do so.

“However, part-time education is for many the only viable way in which they
can gain a 3rd level qualification. Part-time education is not covered by
the Fee Remission scheme and this substantially impacts upon lower-income
earners ability to access part-time education”

“Labour Youth calls for the expansion of the Fee Remission Scheme to cover
part-time education as a means to further broaden access to education for
those from all socioeconomic backgrounds allowing them to secure their
future in the labour market”

ENDS - For more info contact Graham O’Maonaigh at 086 838 1556