Mayo Young Fine Gael chairperson says fee hike is out of touch with student realities

ANTOINETTE Peyton, chair of Mayo Young Fine Gael and youth officer of Mayo Fine Gael, has called on Fianna Fáil Minister James Lawless to reverse his decision to scrap the €1,000 reduction in third-level student fees, following his remarks earlier this week.

Ms. Peyton, who ran as the Fine Gael candidate in last year’s local elections in the Swinford LEA and received a strong vote of confidence, said the move will only add to the pressures students are already facing.

“Young people are dealing with enough as it is, whether it is skyrocketing rents, limited access to affordable accommodation, long driving test delays, or now an extra €1,000 in fees.

“This decision is out of step with the reality on the ground,” she said.

The €1,000 fee reduction introduced last year gave students some much needed breathing space. Removing that support now, without clear justification or a plan to ease the burden, risks sending the wrong message to students about where their needs rank in policy decisions, she said.

Ms. Peyton welcomed the position taken by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Fine Gael in continuing to prioritise students and affordable education.

She called on Minister Lawless to reconsider and correct this decision and to ensure that affordability remains central to third-level policy.

Having been involved in youth politics for several years, Ms. Peyton said she will continue to use her voice to highlight issues that affect young people both locally and nationally. She is committed to ensuring that the concerns of young people in Mayo and across the country are heard and reflected in national policy.