'College fee hike casts shadow over Leaving Cert results day'

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said that the prospect of fees going by €1,000 is looming over students when they should be celebrating their results and looking forward to the next phase of their lives.

The Donegal TD called on the government to support students and parents as they grapple with the relentless cost-of-living crisis by cutting fees as promised – not hiking them up.

Teachta Doherty said: “Students should be celebrating their results and looking forward to the next phase of their lives. For the many students who wish to continue studying at third level that means coming up with €3,000. Many families have only budgeted for €2,000 given that has been the cost of fees for the last few years.

“The Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless TD, threw this into disarray when he said that without a cost-of-living package in this year’s budget – something Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have repeatedly ruled out – college fees would be going up by €1,000.

“This flies in the face of promises made in the election campaign and the programme for government and is a real slap in the face for students and families. Students and parents made plans based on those commitments. Those same households are now face receiving letters in the door from colleges asking for an extra €1,000.

“The cost-of-living crisis is putting students and families under real pressure. Instead of helping this government has made things worse. They hiked up college fees and eroded rent protections from student renters, making it possible for landlords to jack up rents every year to whatever they want.

“Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éireann – the Students’ Union – has described it as a ‘calculated betrayal’ of students. It is not too late to change course, the government needs to come out and tell students and parents that there will be no fee increase.

“Sinn Féin is calling on the government to go further and cut fees to help students and families deal with the cost-of-living crisis and to make education free.”