Fianna Fáil needs to rule out supporting the introduction of student loans
Labour Youth National Chairperson Grace Williams has called on Fianna Fáil to rule out supporting the introduction of student loans.
Williams commented: “Fianna Fáil Education and Skills Spokesperson Thomas Byrne said on Morning Ireland his party are open to the idea of introducing student loans.
“This is a deeply regressive and ill thought out position. Student loans have not worked in the USA, Australia or the UK. They have saddled students with debt and discouraged people from studying at third-level.
“Labour Youth accepts the funding issue for third-level education in Ireland needs to be resolved. However, we believe publicly funded third-level education, as is the norm in most European countries, is the fairest and most sustainable funding model.
“Based on Deputy Byrne’s interview it is clear Fianna Fáil do not strongly value an equitable third-level education system, which is essential to Ireland’s future economic development.
“I am calling on Fianna Fáil to unequivocally rule out supporting the introduction of student loans.”