COLLEGE students are set for a €1,000 blow later this year when college fees return to their original level, Higher Education Minister James Lawless has confirmed.
As part of a cost of living package in last year’s budget, college fees were temporarily cut by €1,000.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed there will be no cost of living package in the upcoming budget[/caption]
Higher Education Minister James Lawless confirmed college fees will revert to €3,000[/caption]
While fees vary from college to college, this cut brought fees down from a maximum of €3,000 to €2,000.
However, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confessed this week that there will be no cost of living package in the upcoming budget.
The Government are planning to tighten spending for next year due to concerns that the Irish economy could be hit hard in a potential trade war between the US and EU that was sparked by Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Higher Education Minister James Lawless today confirmed that college fees will revert to €3,000 without a cost of living package in the budget.
However, the Fianna Fail TD claimed he will try to end fees altogether over the next five years – a commitment included in the Programme for Government.
Speaking on RTE, Minister Lawless said: “The previous year was slightly different and the context was different because there was a cost of living package from the central government.
“Things like energy credits were universally applied, welfare benefits had bonuses at Christmas and other times of the year and there was a general cost of living package across many different parts of government.
“The indications are – and we haven’t entered budget discussions in earnest yet as we’re engaged in the national development plan at the moment which obviously will have a significant uplift in education and research as well – but the indications are that there won’t be a cost of living package this year.
“So all of us in any walk of life have to play the hands we’re dealt.
“If I don’t have a cost of living package then I can’t do those type of measures that we’re talking about from last year.”
Asked to clarify, the Minister said: “The once-off supports – and they were phrased very clearly as once-off supports – are not being provided for as it stands because there is no cost of living package being made available.
“That may change coming into the budget. It’s a matter for the Finance Minister more so than myself but that is what’s coming.
MAJOR SETBACK
Labour’s Further and Higher Education spokesperson Senator Laura Harmon has criticised the plans to reverse the reduction in student fees.
Senator Harmon said any such move would be a major setback for college affordability and a further burden on students and their families.
She said: “This Government is planning to roll back the clock when it comes to making college affordable.
“Reversing the student fee reduction sends a clear signal that access to third-level education is not a priority for this administration.
“At a time when the cost of living remains sky-high and when rents in college areas are completely unaffordable this move would hit families where it hurts. It’s completely out of touch.
“Last week, the Minister for Housing added insult to injury by rowing back on protections for student renters. Now, Minister Lawless wants to add financial pressure on top.
“It’s clear that this Government has no coherent strategy when it comes to supporting students.”
‘WHERE IS THAT AMBITION?’
Labour is now calling for the Minister to urgently reconsider this regressive proposal.
Senator Harmon added: “We have to ask – was last year’s modest reduction in fees just a cynical vote-buying exercise ahead of the local and European elections?
“And what of the promises from Simon Harris, who made all the right noises about reducing fees to zero? Where is that ambition now?
“Instead, students are being told to tighten their belts again while this Government boasts about budget surpluses.”
She continued: “We need long-term thinking when it comes to education – not short-term accounting. College should not be a luxury.
“If the Government goes ahead with this hike, it will be a deeply unpopular move from an increasingly unpopular Government.”
