“There will be families around kitchen tables all over the country now discussing how they can afford to send their kids to college,” said Nicola Kearns, a mother of three, who is now facing €9,000 in Student Contribution Fees for her children this year, reports Breaking News.
Living in Ratoath, Co Meath, Nicola believes the Government has backtracked on both election promises and commitments in the Programme for Government by reintroducing a €1,000 fee that had previously been cut as part of cost of living support measures.
Previously, a one-third reduction meant families paid €2,000 per student annually, but this is now set to rise back to €3,000 per year per student, increasing the financial pressure on many, reports Breaking News.
Although the Government floated the idea of a fee increase last week, it has since stated that no firm decision will be made until the October Budget.
As a stay-at-home mother, Nicola says the lack of clarity is intensifying the stress for families like hers who are preparing to cover college costs, reports Breaking News.
“We were told there would be a hike in fees and then we were told that no decision would be made until the budget in October. They are ruling nothing in or nothing out and are kicking the can down the road and by suggesting that we don’t have to pay in one lump sum is no consolation to families,” she said, reports Breaking News.
“I believe this is the most insulting part of it for parents. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael made pre-election promises to keep the Student Contribution Fee at €2,000 and then they signed off on the Programme for Government in January which agreed to reduce the fees over the lifetime of the government with a pathway to complete abolition,” reports Breaking News.
For Nicola’s family, living on a single income, the potential return to full fees means they’ll need to come up with €9,000 just for contribution costs this year.
“I have three children. My eldest is going into third year and although he is doing an internship this year and won’t set foot in college, we will still have to pay the full student contribution fee,” reports Breaking News.
“My other son is returning to third year in college studying Economics, Politics and Law and my daughter is hoping to get a place on a course in DCU but is likely to get offered a place at a third level college in Carlow, meaning we will face additional accommodation, transport and living costs as well,” reports Breaking News.
“So the last few years, we have paid €4,000 for the Student Contribution Fee but this is now likely to rise to €9,000, that’s a substantial amount of money we will have to find. And the budget is not until October but yet, many colleges want payment in September, so parents haven’t the luxury of tapping their fingers and waiting to see will they or won’t they (govt) retain the fee reduction by the end of October,” reports Breaking News.
“Some colleges ask for one-third up front, some want half the fee and others divide it into a number of monthly payments.”
It’s already been reported that Trinity College Dublin has issued invoices to students requesting payment of the full €3,000 in levies and charges by September.
“And obviously there are a plethora of other expenses to be paid on top of this such as accommodation, transport and food.”
Nicola pointed out that the State recorded a record budget surplus of €25.4 billion last year, and argues the government can afford to keep the reduction, reports Breaking News.
“The €1000 fee reduction benefited about 96,000 students and this payment cost the Exchequer less than half of one per cent – a relatively small outlay for the government but one which made a big difference to students and their families,” reports Breaking News.
“Yes there is the SUSI grant scheme but that is very hard to qualify for and only benefits about 50% of third level students,” reports Breaking News.
“Students from Ukraine and the IPAS centres get their contribution and tuition fees waived in addition to getting a monthly stipend of over €1000. I’ve no issue with students getting the supports they need but it needs to be a level playing field for all,” reports Breaking News.
“Yet again, it’s the squeezed middle, like us, who are overlooked, pay our taxes, work hard and yet have to carry the can for everything,” reports Breaking News.
“There will be parents and students looking at CAO offers in August and potentially making decisions about courses and colleges whilst worrying about how they are going to afford the registration fees.”
“I think the government would be wise to consider the fact that these students have now come of age and will be voting at the next election. I believe increasing this fee will be a monumental own goal for the government,” reports Breaking News.
“Government leaders and ministers talk about fees coming down in the lifetime of the government but they need to realise that families exist in the here and now. They are struggling to balance household budgets weekly and monthly as the cost of living crisis persists and not abates, despite what you would think by this proposed move,” reports Breaking News.
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