Harmon slams Government plan to hike student fees
Harmon slams Government plan to hike student fees - The Labour Party
- Families left without clarity
Labour’s Further and Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Laura Harmon has today condemned comments by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister James Lawless that student fees will rise this year. At a time when families should be preparing for the academic year ahead, there is still no clarity on whether students will face fees of €2,000 or €3,000. Senator Harmon said this uncertainty is outrageous, and shows just how out of touch this Government is with the financial pressures facing students and families. Labour is calling on Government to use the €1.8 billion surplus in the National Training Fund to keep third-level education affordable.
Senator Harmon said:
“It beggars belief just before the start of the academic year, families still don’t know whether they will be paying €2,000 or €3,000 in student fees. This is simply unacceptable. People deserve clarity and certainty, not confusion and last-minute shocks.
“Rolling back the clock on student fees sends a clear signal that access to third-level education is not a priority for this Government. We now see that last year’s reduction was nothing more than a cynical vote-buying exercise ahead of the general election. It is shameful that Government is now reversing course and making college less affordable.
“At a time when the cost of living remains sky-high, and with rents are at record levels, this move will hit families where it hurts. The Government is completely out of touch with the daily realities facing ordinary people. Families are already stretched to the limit, yet Ministers are piling more pressure on by raising fees instead of supporting students.
“Labour is demanding that the €1.8 billion surplus in the National Training Fund is used to protect affordable access to third-level education. The funding is there, the need is clear, and the case could not be stronger. We cannot allow short-term political games to undermine the future of students. Investment in affordable education is an investment in our future.”