Student contribution fee should be abolished, not increased – Donna McGettigan TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Donna McGettigan TD, has condemned the decision to cut the cost-of-living relief payment on student contribution fees, accusing the Government of reneging on another election promise. The decision will see the contribution fee increase by up to €1,000.

The decision was signaled by Minister James Lawless in the Dáil last week in response to questioning by Deputy McGettigan.

Teachta McGettigan said:

“I called on the Minister to ensure the fees were reduced to zero in his tenure, but instead he stressed that the cut was a temporary cost-of-living measure which he will not be continuing. It seems the Minister is oblivious to the fact that so many people are still struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.

“The dropout rate among students is already too high, many due to the high costs involved. This decision will add further financial burden. The government should be encouraging students to pursue third-level education and fulfil their potential, not creating additional barriers.

“The Minister quoted the cost on the government of scrapping contribution fees. These costs are insignificant compared to the benefits of a highly educated workforce.

“Third-level education is a public good, which enhances our society and economy. We will need skilled and trained graduates in the years ahead as we increasingly move into a knowledge economy and wish to avail of new technologies.

“The Minister is also flying in the face of the Programme for Government that was agreed just a couple of months ago which commits them to, “Continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families at the start of each academic year”. The ink is barely dry on it and the Minister is reneging on comitments already.

“In the run-up to the last election Simon Harris said that Fine Gael in government would scrap the fees. He now seems happy to be in a government that effectively increases them, that’s quite a U-turn. I’d like to hear his explanation for it.

“The government should scrap this cruel and counterproductive fee. They talk about the budget surplus of the state, so it must be a lack of political will that is preventing them from doing so. As far as I’m concerned the matter is not closed, I will continue to highlight what I regard as a breach of promise.”