Raising student contribution fees by €1,000 per year amidst a cost of living crisis will make a college education more inaccessible for some students and families, according to Social Democrats further and higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins said:
“This proposal comes as students and families across the country are already grappling with unprecedented cost-of-living pressures and an acute crisis in student accommodation.
“Minister Lawless has before stated that he intends to reduce fees over the lifetime of this Government – we are already seven months into this term, so what is he waiting for?
“We are staring into a worsening accommodation crisis where students are being priced out of their education before they even step foot on campus – the average rent for student accommodation in Dublin is now over €1,200 a month, which is comparable to a full-time minimum wage salary.
“In contrast, students in cities like Berlin pay closer to €400, and in Lisbon, many pay between €300 and €500 – Ireland is now one of the most expensive countries in Europe to be a student.
“It is increasingly common to hear of students commuting almost two hours each way because they simply cannot afford to live near their colleges, with some deferring courses or dropping out entirely – raising fees now will push the affordability of a third level education away from countless students.
“Our universities are not businesses, and our students are not customers. Education is a right, not a privilege, and it is time the Government acted accordingly – the Minister must show real leadership, not just empty promises.”
June 30th, 2025