Student fee increase an ‘additional strain' for those with multiple children in college
Third-level fees were reduced to €2,000 as a once-off cost-of-living measure three years ago, and this was rolled over for two further years.
Minister for Further and Higher Education
James Lawless
recently said on RTÉ radio that without a cost-of-living package in the budget, fees would have to increase again to €3,000 'as things stand'.
Ahead of an organised protest against the proposed return to annual student contributions of €3,000, which took place outside Leinster House on Tuesday evening, parent Frances Cody shared her concerns.
READ MORE
Having budgeted for fees amounting to €2,000 per child this September, Ms Cody says the rise will be a 'double whammy' for her family who have two children in higher education.
'The reduction to college fees has been a blessing and we now rely on this. If the college fees return to €3,000 a year I will be struggling to find the extra €2,000 I will need next year and a further €1,000 the year after. I can't just magically come up with this money.'
Ms Cody said there is an 'additional strain' placed on families like her own who experience an 'overlap' in funding college expenses. For many, this increase in student fees will represent more than €1,000, with this figure doubling or even tripling for some.
Bryan O'Mahony, AMLÉ president, at a protest at Leinster House over increases in student fees. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
'Every penny that comes into this household is accounted for,' she says, adding that 'there is no nest egg' to cover car breakdowns, doctors' bills, or other unexpected additional expenses.
'When my car broke down a month ago I had to pay for it with a Visa card that I have no way of clearing.'
Her daughters attend UCD, where they are studying medicine and actuarial science. Both have commuted from their home in Redcross, Co Wicklow, through college – a journey which takes them more than an hour and a half each way. This means leaving at 5.30am 'to beat traffic'.
Ms Cody is a teacher, and her husband works 'seven days a week' as a taxi driver to fund their eldest daughter's accommodation near UCD. Her daughter has recently started renting so she can attend hospital placements, after spending the first four years of her medicine degree commuting.
A reduction in college fees over the last three years is 'the one concession from the Government that my family benefits from,' Ms Cody says.
Education can come at a personal cost to parents and children alike, with financial pressure negatively impacting mental and physical health.
'My husband has health issues associated with stress and spending long days in a vehicle.' He had a heart attack aged 45. 'And my eldest worries about every penny she spends.'
Speaking at Tuesday's protest, Bryan O'Mahony, president of Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ), said the €1,000 reduction in student contribution fees 'was not just a relief, it was not just a gift, it was a lifeline for students'.
He called the fees-increase decision 'calculated' and 'a betrayal by our Government'.
'We are not here today for handouts. We are not here for gifts. We are here for fairness. We are here for basic respects.'
Seán Thim O'Leary, president of Trinity College Dublin Students' Union, said the proposed increase in fees 'has come out of nowhere'.
'It's come at a time when so many students are already weighing up whether or not they can continue in higher education.'
Prostesters at a demonstration, organised by the Labour Party, over an increase in student fees. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Aaron Duke, a history and politics student at University College Dublin, feels it is 'naive' to be surprised about the potential fee increase.
'It was kind of very obvious that this was going to be the case. They're very unwilling to spend money on the things that actually matters to working people or people who are struggling with the cost of living, which includes a high majority of students.'
Cian McGrath, students' union president at Munster Technological University's Kerry campus, said: 'it's an absolute disgrace that they would even think about adding a thousand euro on for us to pay.'
He said that the price of being a student in Kerry has 'just gone through the roof'.
'That's only in Kerry, you can imagine what it's like in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway, it must be ridiculous elsewhere in the country if things are so bad in Kerry.'
Hazen E Griffin, campaigns and engagement officer at University College Dublin students' union, called the potential increase 'shameful'.
'We have tons of students who might not be able to afford this and it's deeply damaging, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.'
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Irish Times
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- Irish Times
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Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, July 12th: The Constitution and the presidency, Obama's gig, and building on the cheap
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This may not breach the Constitution in a strictly legal sense, but it certainly breaches its spirit. Ireland deserves a presidential nomination process that is open, fair, and reflective of the full diversity of the nation, not one filtered through internal party politics. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL O'DOWD, Drogheda, Co Louth. Sir, – Given the lack of influence over government policy does it really matter whether a presidential candidate is left, right or centrist as long as they are mindful of their constitutional obligations. – Yours, etc, ROBERT GRAYDON, Redgate, Limerick. Sir, – Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald to become rotating president. All other candidates to be super juniors. Easy ! – Yours, etc, JIM TOOMEY, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Sir, – With regard to potential candidates for the presidency, one new criteria this time should be 'will they look good as a tea cosy?' – Yours, etc, SIOBHÁN NÍ CHUANAIGH, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14. Housing and costs Sir, – Cost is, understandably, a major constraint in public infrastructure and housing. But recent statements by Minister for Public Infrastructure Jack Chambers, and the reduction in apartment standards announced by Minister for Housing James Browne, suggest a worrying trend: valuing short-term savings over long-term quality. There's a persistent myth that good design is expensive. In truth, thoughtful design is what delivers true value for money. When upfront cost becomes the only driver, we risk undermining the liveability and resilience of our built environment. One particularly regressive change is the move away from dual-aspect apartments and the loosening of limits on the number of homes per core – a shift likely to result in endless corridors and anonymous housing blocks (fire regulations notwithstanding). Decades of experience tell us this erodes social ties, weakens community cohesion, and invites security issues. 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We remain committed to creating vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods – but the quality of what we're allowed to build matters. – Yours, etc, JONNY McKENNA, Partner, Metropolitan Workshop, Fumbally Court, Dublin. Sir, – Please allow me to bring some clarity to the debate over the disappearance of bedsit accommodation since 2009. Contrary to what Michael McDowell says, bedsits were not prohibited by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008. The significant requirements of the Act were for each bedsit to have independent cooking and sanitary accommodation. Fire safety was to be addressed by the installation of a fire alarms and smoke blankets. Some landlords were able to bring existing bedsits into compliance by internal subdivision of apartments or by building extensions. However, these were in the minority. The simplest solution for landlords was to eliminate some of the bedsits to serve as bathrooms and kitchens for the others. Inevitably, this led to a reduction in bedsit numbers. But this solution was not as simple as it seemed. When planning applications were made they were judged against the minimum apartment area criteria contained in the local authority development plans. These standards, primarily intended for new apartments, meant that many applications were refused as being 'sub-standard'. For instance, a house in nine bedsits seeking to reduce to six might only achieve permission for three apartments. There was a further complication. Material alterations to the building associated with the re-ordering of the apartments would have to comply with Part B of the building regulations. This resulted in a root and branch fire and structural upgrading. Is it any wonder that property owners would choose the option to sell in these circumstances? One cannot argue against proper minimum standards for living accommodation, but nobody considered or understood the social cost of the regulations and nobody sought to advocate on behalf of those tenants who were affected. Clearly, as per John Mark McCafferty's letter (July 10th), Threshold were fully behind the regulations. I question Mr McCafferty's assertion that there were sufficient low-cost apartments available to tenants coming out of bedsits. Daft reported in 2009 that the average monthly apartment rent cost in Dublin was €1,070 and nationally €840. Yes, rents were falling due to recession, but this was not likely to persist. It is difficult to find an average pre-2009 bedsit rental cost, but a trawl on the internet suggests a figure of €400 per month. In 2009 the old-age pension was €876 per month. Need I say more? Clearly, the social cost of the 2008 regulations was not understood or considered at the time either by those who advocated for the regulations or those who introduced them. – Yours, etc, JOHN DEATON, Dublin 14. Obama, oh dear . . . Sir, – Great news – former POTUS Barack Obama is coming to Dublin. I'm really motivated to attend. I can buy a ticket. I just need to focus. Believe. Yes I can! But wait, look at the price. No, I can't! – Yours, etc, MARY FOGARTY , Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Sir, – I was astounded to see Barrack Obama is putting on a performance at the 3 Arena. Would his obvious talents not be better employed trying to influence policy in his own country and the Middle East and perhaps break the media blackout in Gaza? He hardly needs the money. – Yours, etc, MAGGIE FITZGERALD, Station Road, Killiney. Bonfires in the North Sir, – An estimated two million wooden pallets will be burned on the 11th night in the North as a so-called expression of culture, along with tens of thousands of tyres. The environmental, public health, and financial costs are staggering. Burning tyres and treated timber releases toxic pollutants such as dioxins, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Research has shown that emissions from these fires can temporarily push air pollution in affected areas to levels far exceeding EU and World Health Organisation safety thresholds. The clean-up cost to public bodies in the North runs into millions annually, with local councils, the Housing Executive, and NI Water all forced to fund damage repair and waste removal. This excludes the untold cost to private industry, such as pallet suppliers, whose property is sometimes stolen. Some retailers have launched investigations after their pallets appeared in bonfire piles. Despite environmental legislation clearly prohibiting open burning of waste, there is no enforcement, but often de facto collusion. Regulatory bodies appear paralysed by so-called political sensitivities, while police often classify bonfires as 'community relations' matters, not environmental crimes. The result is a law-free zone. Any debate on a united Ireland will have to confront this issue in a way British politicians, the Northern Ireland Executive and the PSNI have failed to do. But, surely the kind of paralysis evident here makes it clear to anyone in the South that inheriting this environmental nightmare would be a bridge too far? – Yours, etc, DECLAN DOYLE, Kilkenny. Walking, ducking and a bit of diving Sir, – I do a bit of walking and recently I had a Eureka moment when it came to me that there may be a connection between the upsurge in the numbers presenting with insect bites and the overgrowth of shrubs, bushes and trees on paths and roads. Regularly, pedestrians have to duck and dive to avoid overhanging foliage and to weave on and off paths. Sometimes that's not possible and, when wearing shorts, I've turned out to be easy pickings for various bugs and have the scars to prove it. There are times when, in the interest of nature, pruning back vegetation is not advisable. However, that seems now to be the case all year round now and I wonder if the only cutbacks councils are bothered with are budgetary? – Yours, etc, MICHAEL KEEGAN, Booterstown, Co Dublin. An ice-cream shared . . . Sir, – What a heartening photograph, by Bryan O'Brien, of little Sofia Levins and her mam on your front page (July 10th). It contrasts starkly with the banner photo of the glum looking Gallagher brothers (Oasis) just above it. I wonder if Sofia could share some of her ice-cream with these two boys. It might brighten up their day too. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL GANNON, Saint Thomas Square, Kilkenny. Take a bow, letter writers Sir, – Last month your letter writers highlighted lack of respect shown by GAA teams at the playing of our national anthem. Since then at televised games there has certainly been a considerable improvement in players' attention to this matter. Last week a letter writer complained about the lack of action by airport police in preventing parking at the set down area at Terminal 1 in Dublin Airport which had been highlighted by another reader. Yesterday, at a very busy time on arrival at Terminal l set-down, as I found a place, I noticed airport police member walking past. He immediately engaged in conversation with the driver of vehicle, clearly parked, behind me. Having delivered my passenger, I noticed he was still engaged with this driver. Obviously, your letter writers complaints are being noticed by 'the powers that be' in all areas. Take a bow letter writers and The Irish Times. – Yours, etc, RICHARD POWER, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford. Sitting on the benches Sir, – It was wonderful to see the excellent high quality work that was done between Leeson Street and Baggot Street, particularly the all-important benches. I wonder could Waterways Ireland consider installing some benches on the stretch between Tyrconnell Road and Harold's Cross bridge? There are no benches on this stretch of canal which includes Drimnagh, Inchicore and Crumlin. I emailed them on this topic, but they're obviously too busy working in Dublin 4 to reply. – Yours, etc , SHEA CARROLL, Emmet Road, Dublin 8. Supermarket sweeps Sir, – Barry O'Halloran reported that Tesco will create 400 jobs and that the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment predicted the move will boost local towns (' Tesco to create 400 jobs ,' July 7th). One wonders if there are any jobs being created or if they are displacing smaller shops and businesses. There is a finite amount of money to go around so I question how these new jobs will be created. I also question how they will boost local towns as Tesco stores are often found on the outskirts of towns and actually take from the traditional core (where the displaced businesses are usually located) They are certainly not a boost. I don't think the Minister is joining the dots here. – Yours, etc, JAMES STAPLETON, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Vacant buildings in Dublin Sir, – Mark Wynne (Letters, July 10th) is correct to express astonishment at the dereliction in Dublin city centre. This newspaper published a comprehensive article by your Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly in early February. It had collated perfect data in its research and statistics for the Minister for Housing, James Browne, and the Government to act in relation to empty properties between the two canals in Dublin. No further investigation or 'looking into the matter' was required. In the following weeks, I was waiting (along with many others, I'm sure) on some major announcement by the Government about how legislation and taxation policy would be changed immediately so that these 4,000 (approximately) units between the two canals would be turned into student accommodation, shared living, etc. But nothing. As Mr Wynne writes, it is 'low hanging fruit', and the lack of action by the Government in the last five months shows they really do not care about solving the housing crisis and do have their heads in the sand. – Yours, etc, ORLA MAGORRIAN, Clontarf, Dublin.
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Elaine Loughlin: Our roads are melting, so why are our politicians so quiet on climate change?
On Thursday, before temperatures spiked to today's predicted 30C, roads in Co Cork were melting. Despite council workers spreading grit on the slippery and melting tar, motorists were urged to avoid a local route between Ballinhassig and Crossbarry until the weather cools. Road surfaces will be only one of many issues that will require serious consideration and drastic changes in policy as climate change has a real impact on our lives. While the road in question was treated with a spray of chip and tar mix about 18 months ago as part of a minor maintenance works, chairman of the Carrigaline Municipal District, Ben Dalton O'Sullivan told the Irish Examiner it obviously wasn't enough to protect the soft surface beneath. He said that in the context of climate change, local authorities will have to examine and consider adjusting the mix or type of tarmac they use for road projects to ensure they can withstand days of sustained heat. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB Complaining about dissolving roads may seem miserable as the nation basks in sunshine, but we need to get to grips with the devastating impact our changing climate will have, and is already having, both here and abroad. Unfortunately, at a time when the alarm should be sounding loudest, our politicians have been distracted by a plethora of other issues — some worthy of national attention, others bordering on the farcical — which has seen the climate emergency plummet down the agenda. As TDs prepare to rise for the summer recess this coming week, a look back on the business of Leinster House since January shows that politicians on all sides were initially consumed by Lowrygate and the speaking time debacle. As would be expected, the first term of the Dáil also had a significant focus on housing, with changes to the rent pressure zones dominating debate for weeks; while a number of health-related issues cropped up, including the myriad of controversies surrounding Children's Health Ireland and maternity services. In recent weeks, the cost of living and the rocketing price of groceries have been raised repeatedly, not to mention the pre-budget row over student fees. This week, as ice creams and roads disintegrated in the heat, climate change was briefly raised in the Dáil chamber. "Do not get me wrong, the bit of sun is great, but we need to recognise this is not normal," was how Labour TD Ciarán Ahern put it to the Tánaiste when raising the drought warnings that have been issued across multiple counties and citing a Met Éireann hot weather alert he had received on his phone before coming into the Dáil. "People feel hamstrung by this Government's inaction and delay in providing even the most basic measures to allow them to engage in climate action," Ahern said. "People want to retrofit their homes, but the system of grants restricts this to well-off households with significant savings. People want to switch to public transport, but the services are not there or already at capacity." Perhaps briefly forgetting that he is a leader in the current Government who therefore has the ability to put an item firmly on the agenda and to enact change, Simon Harris said it was "welcome" to have a question on climate put to him. "I am not sure we, as a Dáil, are having the level of focus and discussion needed on this issue," the Tánaiste-turned-commentator said. The 2020 programme for government, which was drafted in conjunction with the Green Party, contained 270 commitments related to climate and environment, many of them detailed and specific. While the current programme for government document continues to reference climate measures, campaigners and civil society groups have been quick to criticise a perceived ambiguity in some of the language and a move away from measures aimed at tackling agriculture and water in the context of climate action. Gone is the previous guarantee that spending on public transport infrastructure would be 2:1 over roads, which Eamon Ryan guarded tightly during his term as a minister, sparking considerable fury from some Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers last time around. There has also been a shift in policy around data centres and the aviation sector. While the current programme for government document commits to assigning funds from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to the agricultural sector, it also states that "all measures under the Nature Restoration Law will be completely voluntary for farmers". A move to ensure herd numbers are not cut, a flash point in the last Coalition, is alluded to through the provision which states that the Government "recognises distinct characteristics of biogenic methane" — a gas produced by cattle — and will "advocate for the accounting of this Greenhouse gas to be reclassified at EU and international level". Similarly, the Coalition has, in recent months, been strongly defending the special nitrates derogation provided to Irish farmers. All of this cannot tally with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency found that Ireland has "moved backwards" in its goal of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030, with the latest statistics showing the country is now on course for a maximum reduction of 23%. Target updates and reports outlining the global climate catastrophe can often feel academic and on a scale far beyond our comprehension. We see catastrophic fires in Europe and devastating floods in Texas, and seem almost rooted to the spot, paralysed by the doom-scrolling. But delays to Midleton flood barriers reported in this newspaper last week and roads melting before this weekend's heatwave even fully kicks in should be tangible warnings that make us all think about the massive impact that is starting to take effect on our shores.
