THE GOVERNMENT will have enough cash to cut college fees, slash childcare costs and provide a boost for businesses in the upcoming budget despite “sobering” warnings about the economic impacts of Trump tariffs, Simon Harris has claimed.
It comes as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael clashed over the issue of third level fees with Higher Education Minister James Lawless indicating that the cost of going to college could go back up by €1,000 next year.
The last government introduced temporary cuts of €1,000 to student fees as part of cost of living packages in recent budgets.
This brought fees from €3,000 down to €2,000.
However, Higher Ed Minister James Lawless revealed this week that the cut won’t be continued in the upcoming budget as he claimed: “If I don’t have a cost-of-living package, I can’t do those kind of measures that were done last year.”
This sparked a furious reaction from Fine Gael, with party leader Simon Harris messaging his TDs and Senators to tell them that the Government will still live up to its promise to abolish fees.
The coalition partners are at odds on how to best ease the financial burden on students as Fianna Fail favour targeted measures for those who most need support while Fine Gael want universal cuts for everyone.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin today confirmed there was no funding earmarked to avoid college fees climbing back up by €1,000 and the matter would be part of budget negotiations.
The Taoiseach told reporters in Japan that Government leaders had a “sobering enough meeting” with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers over the weekend.
The money ministers warned about the economic impact from Donald Trump’s tariffs and the uncertainty this brought to international trade which boosts the State’s coffers every year.
The Fianna Fail leader said the Government has made commitments on widening access to college grants and for third level students with disabilities.
However, Simon Harris today claimed the “squeezed middle” in Ireland will not be forgotten in the upcoming budget as he doubled down on commitments to abolish college fees.
The Fine Gael leader said: “There is still space to do things and yes, governments are about choices.
“I think if you reduce college fees by €1,000, it is roughly the equivalent of putting about €1.20 on each social welfare payment.
“I’m not making judgement calls on these things, but I’m just saying that there are lots of things government does in budgets.
“What you do on a pension, what you do for carers, what you do for students, what you do for tax – all of these things need to be considered in the round.
‘THEY WON’T BE FORGOTTEN’
“But one thing is for sure, hard working people who are getting up for work everyday, the squeezed middle, call them what you want – they won’t be forgotten about. They can’t be.”
Opposition parties today claimed the coalition were flip-flopping on student fees as they called for clarity for families.
And they are organising a protest outside Leinster House next week with students to demand that the €1,000 cut to fees be made permanent.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: “It seems we are hurtling towards yet another U-turn from this chaotic Coalition.
“After flip-flops on Rent Pressure Zones and tax policy, the latest retreat involves a planned hike in college fees – revealed by Minister Lawless on national radio.
“The increase in student fees will hit families already struggling under the weight of rising costs, during a cost of living crisis.”
