THE government has been accused of delivering a “sucker punch” to Irish students, ahead of a plan which will see a extra €1,000 cost in college fees.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, recently announced plans to scrap the cost-of-living reduction to third-level fees.
The reduction, which amounted to €1,000, was created to support students financially throughout the cost-of-living crisis.
Its subsequent removal means fees will return to previous levels, increasing by €1,000 from last year.
Sinn Fein TD Mairead Farrell has condemned the action, calling it a “betrayal” she believes students and parents won’t forget.
Farrell said: “Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless, sent real fear through households last Sunday when he said fees would go up by €1,000 because there was no cost-of-living package in this year’s budget.
“This was the last thing students and their parents needed or expected to hear.”
She added: “This is a sucker punch to families that have simply not planned or budgeted for an extra €1,000 for every student.”
And that: “This will impact over 90,000 students across the state, and for many, will mean the difference between going to college or not.
Her comments come following a motion by Sinn Fein in the Dail this week.
The motion, which coincided with a student and joint opposition protest outside Leinster House, called on the government to introduce a cost-of-living package which would cancel the scheduled €1,000 fee hike and reduces fees by a further €500.
It also called for student fees to be permanently abolished within within two years.
COLLEGE COSTS
Speaking with Newstalk Breakfast, Union of Students in Ireland President Chris Clifford described the situation as “absolutely shocking”.
He said: “Last year, our expectation was that the €1,000 reduction in the contribution was going to remain and it was going to be permanent,
“It feels like we’re going backwards, to be honest.”
Despite these concerns, Minister Lawless remains resolute that third-level students will pay €1,000 extra in fees this year compared to last year.
Speaking with RTE, Lawless explained that last year’s €1,000 was part of a one-time cost-of-living package and that now fees will have to be reset to the level they were at for the last several years.
He added: “All of us in any walk of life have to play the hands were dealt”.
