Mother of three facing €9k student contribution fees this year
Nicola Kearns from Ratoath, Co Meath believes the Government has reneged on their election promises and the Programme for Government by reinstating the €1000 fee they reduced in college fees as part of cost of living packages in recent years.
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The one-third reduction meant parents paid €2,000 a year in student contribution fees but are now facing the possibility of forking out the full €3,000 per student again for the coming academic year.
The government mooted the fee hike last week but then said no decision would be made until budget talks in October.
The stay-at-home mother of three says the uncertainty of not knowing is compounding the stress for thousands of families.
"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.
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"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."
Nicola's one income family is now facing a bill of €9,000 in contribution fees alone to send their children to college 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."
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"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."
"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"
"Some colleges ask for one-third up front, some want half the fee and others divide it into a number of monthly payments."
It has been reported that one college -Trinity College in Dublin has already sent out invoices for €3,000 student levies and charges to be paid by September.
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"And obviously there are a plethora of other expenses to be paid on top of this such as accommodation, transport and food.
Nicola highlighted that last year, Ireland had the largest surplus budget in the history of the State at €25.4 billion
"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.
"Yes there is the SUSI grant scheme but that is very hard to qualify for and only benefits about 50% of third level students.
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"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.
"Yet again, it's he squeezed middle, like us, who are overlooked, pay our taxes, work hard and yet have to carry the can for everything."
"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."
"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."
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