Sinn Féin TD for Galway West, Mairéad Farrell, has called the government plan to hike college fees by €1,000 in a cost-of-living crisis a ‘betrayal’ that students and parents will not forget.
She was speaking following Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion this week to cut fees as part of a plan to completely abolish them, which will coincide with a student and joint opposition protest outside Leinster House.
Teachta Farrell said: “There is a cost-of-living crisis raging, and instead of helping students and parents, the government is adding fuel to the fire.
“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.
“Promises had been made, not only in the election campaign, but in black and white in the programme for government.
“Students and parents across have made decisions based on the commitment that fees would not go up. This is a sucker punch to families that have simply not planned or budgeted for an extra €1,000 for every student.
“I have been contacted by many students from Galway, and I stood outside the gates of Leinster House with the University of Galway’s Student Union as they raised their voices in opposition to this move.
“This will impact over 90,000 students across the state, and for many will mean the difference between going to college or not.
“Many of these students are already really struggling to find affordable rental accommodation. Many are having to work long part-time hours just to support themselves, which has a significant adverse impact on their studies.
“We have the financial resources, and it makes economic sense to invest in your people. The government needs to turn around and go in the opposite direction on college fees. They should be reducing fees like they promised.
“Education is a right and should be free and available to everyone.”
