Greens call on government to scrap €1k student fees hike

The Green Party have strongly criticised the government’s decision to hike student fees, announced by the Minister for Higher Education on RTÉ’s This Week programme on Sunday. 

Party Spokesperson for Higher Education, Cllr Eva Dowling today said: “The Minister has announced that students will have to pay an additional €1,000 in student contribution fees, compared to the previous three years. This is a regressive step and is unaffordable by students and their families. 

“Students had been asked to pay a reduced amount during the lifetime of the Green Party in government. A cost-of-living measure that is now being rolled back on. 

“The move contravenes a direct commitment in the Minister’s own Programme for Government, which lays out commitments to reduce this fee over the lifetime of this government. 

“Third level students and their families deserve better than false promises. This government should scrap the €1,000 hike in fees without delay, so that students can prepare and budget for the academic term ahead.”