Cork politicians call on government not to hike college fees

Cork TDs senators and councillors have called on the government not to remove the measure that saw college fees reduce by €1,000 in recent budgets.

The topic is to be discussed at next Monday’s meeting of Cork City Council, as Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch is to bring a motion calling for a further €500 reduction in fees rather than an increase.

Mr Lynch told The Echo: “There is a cost-of-living crisis raging and instead of lending a helping hand to students and their families, the government is stoking fear in households by proposing to hike student fees for the coming academic year.

“This will impact over 90,000 students across the State - including thousands who attend UCC and MTU here in Cork - and for many this will mean the difference between accessing third-level education or not.

“Education is a right and improving access, not putting up barriers, must be a public policy objective. The government's refusal to say whether student fees will be €2,000 or €3,000 in September is a slap in the face to students and families who cannot plan or budget for the year ahead.” 

Cork Senator Laura Harmon, former president of the Union of Students in Ireland, led a protest outside Leinster House on Tuesday with student representatives and other opposition parties to demand clarity on potential student fee increases.

Ms Harmon, who is Labour’s further and higher education spokesperson, told The Echo: “We know that over 25% of UCC students went to class hungry last year according to a UCCSU survey.

“This Government has dodged straight answers on what the cost of college will be this September. That is not acceptable.

“Ireland is already one of the most expensive places in Europe to access further and higher education. An extra €1,000 per student may not seem like much to Government, but for working families already struggling with the cost of living, it’s simply a bridge too far. 

"We cannot allow a situation where only the wealthy can afford to send their children to college.” 

Her party colleague Eoghan Kenny spoke on the topic in the Dáil, saying: 

“The only reason I went to college was that I had access to a Susi grant”, saying that students were struggling with many different cost increases.

“Friends of mine are paying €700, €800 or €900 per month to rent a damp, mouldy room in Cork with no light or window. 

"There are the costs of running a car, of homes and of renting in the city or town you are studying in… the cost of groceries is going up.

“We need to know what students and their families will be paying. Will they be paying €3,000 or €2,000?”