Sinn Féin TD Paul Donnelly, has said the government’s decision to hike up student fees by €1000 is “outrageous” and a “slap in the face.”
The Dublin West TD said that education costs are already high for students and families who are already struggling to keep their heads above water with the spiraling cost of living
Donnelly remarked, “this shameful decision is the latest example of this government abandoning our young people, and yet again highlights just how out of touch Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are with the pressures ordinary people are facing.”
Donnelly dubbed the hike on student fees as “an assault on students”, and follows in the wake of controversial changes to Ireland’s rent laws, a decision which is likely to make things difficult for student renters (and a move that party leader Mary Lou McDonald said would “screw” renters).
“This latest assault on students comes only weeks after the government’s decision to erode protections for student renters – a decision that will drive student rents up even further.
“Time and time again, this government has shown it is completely out of touch with the pressures ordinary households are facing.”
The Sinn Féin TD said, “with the soaring costs of groceries, petrol and diesel, gas and electricity bills, the harsh reality is that many families simply will not be able to afford these additional costs.”
“Parents are telling me that they are now facing the brutal decision of choosing which of their children can go to college. This is wrong, parents should not be put in this position.”
Donnelly stated, “it does not have to be this way.”
“Sinn Féin has the backs of students and their families and will demand better for our young people.”
“As a first step towards abolishing student fees, Sinn Féin are demanding a cost-of-living package in September that will reduce student fees by €1500,” he said.
“Our young people deserve a society that enables them to thrive, realise their full potential and build a future for themselves here.