Time to end the student fees chaos
Time to end the student fees chaos - The Labour Party
- Protest 6pm tomorrow outside Leinster House with cross-party opposition support and students’ unions
Labour’s Further and Higher Education Spokesperson Laura Harmon TD has called on students and families to join Labour and other opposition parties in protest outside Leinster House tomorrow, Tuesday at 6pm. Senator Laura Harmon has coordinated the rally that comes as the Government continues to fail to provide clarity on third-level student fees, leaving thousands of students and families in limbo ahead of the next academic year.
Senator Harmon said:
“The standoff between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is causing untold heartache in homes across the country. Students and their families are totally in the dark about what it will cost to send a young person to college this autumn.
“The facts are clear: Ireland is already one of the most expensive countries in Europe to access further and higher education. Students are lauded for their academic performance and potential – yet the very same Government that praises them is now pricing them out of opportunity.
“Let’s be clear – this is not just about college tuition. With rents at extortionate levels, many students are already being denied the basic experience of moving away from home. For many, access to further education now depends entirely on access to funds.
“While Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil may dismiss this as minor, an additional €1,000 a year is a bridge too far for so many families. These aren’t luxuries – they’re basics. Education should be an equalising force in Irish society, not a financial punishment.
“Students and their families must not be treated as cash cows. There is a surplus of nearly €1.8 billion in the National Training Fund which can only be used for education – it’s time to put it to work to ease the burden on families. We need a Government that will prioritise students, not punish them.
“I am urging everyone who can to join us outside Leinster House on Tuesday at 6pm. It’s time to send a clear message: no more chaos, no more excuses – we need clarity now.”