01-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Decision to increase the student registration fee a 'slap in the face' to students and their parents
Registration fees for third-level education in Ireland were reduced to €2,000 in 2023 following a decision by Tánaiste Simon Harris, who was Minister for Further and Higher Education at the time, as he aimed to alleviate financial pressure on students due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Young Fine Gael has stated that they are "shocked" and "disgraced" by the decision from Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless. The Regional Organiser for North West's Young Fine Gael, Dean Kenny from Belcarra in Mayo, said in a statement,
"As if spiralling rents, an increased cost of living, and already having the second highest university fees in Europe weren't enough for students to be dealing with,
"Minister Lawless' decision is an absolute slap in the face to students and their families right across the country."
Mr Kenny, who is the former President of the University of Galway Student Union, added, "This is an absolutely shocking decision from Minister Lawless that will almost certainly prevent people from accessing third-level education."
He continued, "It is no exaggeration to say that this increase will mean the difference between some students' having the money to buy groceries in a week, and having to go without. In my own experience of working on the ground in the student movement, I know just how valuable that thousand euro reduction has been to students and their families."
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ballina councillor Jarlath Munnelly, who is a qualified teacher, said it is the wrong time to increase registration fees.
"Students, and particularly their parents, face a whole raft of costs at this time preparing to go back to college. The state does not need to add to this with a steep increase in registration fees. I'd ask the Government to look again at this," said the Fine Gael representative.
A 2020 report published by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) as part of the European Commission, found that Ireland is one of seven countries that charge fees between €1,001 and €3,000 for third-level education. The only country that charges more is the United Kingdom.
The €1,000 reduction was a sign of the times, as Minister Lawless said he does not have a "cost-of-living package". The Minister did, however, say that he intends to "wind down" student contribution fees throughout his time in Government.
