Student organisation Pulse has expressed its disappointment "following the latest update that students who work a part-time job will not be eligible for the Government's €500 supplement because they receive the monthly student stipend."

"It is not easy being a full-time student and be employed on a part-time basis at the same time, however students manage to do both as €90 a month for many students is simply not enough to get through the month. We live in a society where students are encouraged to work, however we believe that this contradicting measure is only penalising those who do."

Having said this, students should not be put in a position where they either choose to continue receiving the stipend or the Government supplement, Pulse said. "It should not be a matter of either or, especially in the situation where many must work to be able to help their families"

"Whilst we understand that this is an unstable time for everyone and we acknowledge all the efforts which are being made to ease some of the pressures, we urge the Government and all the relative authorities to rethink this measure and to hold students at heart in these difficult times as well."