Ms Suzanne Quin:

I thank the committee for having us. I am from Raheny, Dublin and I am entitled to a SUSI grant, including a registration fee. I am also eligible for a disability access route to education, DARE, place. I come from a low-income family. My Dad was made redundant last year and my Mum is disabled and so receives a disability allowance.

I am a second year LLB student at Griffith College in Dublin. I chose the college to improve myself and gain confidence. The college also has an excellent reputation as a law school. I hope to later share the story of two of my colleagues. Ms Amy Liggett is from County Down. She is a law student and is here today. At the last minute she was refused funding to attend Griffith College and is now in a limbo situation. There is also another student who has requested not to be named. She has worked alongside the CLAY Youth Project in Crumlin and with its help, she was able to receive a scholarship to Griffith College but has since been refused a SUSI maintenance grant. As a result she has found it very difficult to keep afloat financially while attending college.